Star Meat Delivery Inc. recalled raw pork, beef and goat items that were produced without federal inspection and have labels with a “false USDA mark of inspection”
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NEED TO KNOW
- Star Meat Delivery Inc. recalled over 167,000 pounds of raw meat produced without federal inspection
- The affected products, distributed by A&D Foods, include pork, beef, and goat items with false USDA inspection labels
- The recall is classified as high risk, with potential health hazards, though no illnesses or injuries have been reported yet
Over 167,000 pounds of raw meat have been recalled.
North Carolina company Star Meat Delivery Inc. recalled approximately 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat items that were produced without federal inspection, per an announcement shared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Sept. 22.
The affected items were distributed in bulk with the A&D Foods label, per the FSIS. According to the announcement, A&D Foods is a Georgia distributor that received the items to distribute to retailers and restaurants nationwide.
A long list of meat products packed in various weights of cardboard boxes were recalled, including goat items, beef oxtail, pork chorizo, pork chops, beef ribs and more. See the full list of recalled items at the FSIS announcement.
According to the agency, the affected products also bear labels with a “false USDA mark of inspection.” The FSIS said it uncovered this issue during “FSIS surveillance activities.”
“The products subject to recall bear false marks of inspection with establishment number ‘EST. 1363,’ which does not have a federal grant of inspection,” the agency said.
Credit: Getty
“Any product bearing the false establishment number ‘EST. 1363’ should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat,” the agency said.
PEOPLE reached out to the FSIS to inquire how the false establishment number was created and used by the producing company.
“Food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants that put consumer health and safety at risk,” the agency said in the announcement.
The recall is listed as a Class I recall, indicating a “high or medium risk,” per the FSIS.
The classification means that the “health hazard situation” has “a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
However, the announcement said, there have not yet been confirmed reports of illness or injury related to consuming the items.
“Anyone concerned about an illness or injury should contact a healthcare provider,” the agency said.
The FSIS said it is “concerned” about affected items still being in consumer, retailer or restaurant fridges or freezers, adding that anyone who purchased the items should not consume, sell or serve them.
The announcement said the items should be discarded or returned.
The affected meat products were produced at various dates up to Sept. 22, 2026, per the announcement.
The items were packed in cardboard boxes after being vacuum-sealed, though the FSIS said the items may not have the same labeling in individual consumer packages.
“Retail stores may have applied their own stickers with pricing and safe handling instructions,” the agency said.
The FSIS said it may update the affected product list as more information on the recall becomes available. The agency also said it will conduct recall effectiveness checks to confirm that Star Meat Delivery Inc. ensures the products are no longer on shelves and notifies its customers of the recall.
A&D Foods and Star Meat Delivery Inc. did not immediately reply to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Consumers who have food safety questions can reach out to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline or via email at MPHotline@usda.gov.
Those who wish to report a problem with a meat product or poultry or egg item can do so at the FSIS Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.
Read the full article here
