Beef patties served in schools nationwide recalled
Ready-to-eat beef patties shipped to food service locations nationwide and distributed for use in school lunches have been recalled. AdvancePierre Foods, Inc., based in Enid, Oklahoma, has recalled 20,373 pounds of the fully cooked beef patties because they may be contaminated with a soft purple plastic material. The beef patties were shipped frozen and distributed to schools across the country.
The problem was discovered on April 1, 2019, although the beef patties were produced on November 30, 2018. Two consumer complaints spurred the recall. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is concerned that, even after the recall was announced, there may still be frozen patties in food service freezers.
Frozen, ready-to-eat, flame-broiled beef patties in the recall were shipped in 14.06-lb. cases containing three bags with 30 pieces for a total of 90 portions of “CN FULLY COOKED FLAMEBROILED BEEF PATTIES CARAMEL COLOR ADDED” with case code 155-525-0 and package code 8334. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2260E” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The beef patties were shipped as part of a commercial sale and were not part of food provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Food service facilities that do still have these beef patties should dispose of them properly and should not serve them for consumption.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Recall Comes as Meats and Cheeses Eyed as Source of 5-State E. coli Outbreak
In other news, the E. coli O103 outbreak linked to “fast food” or “meats and cheeses,” remains a mystery. No source has yet been identified and the number of confirmed victims exceeds 6 dozen. The outbreak is a major focus of numerous state and federal agencies as more and more victims of this relatively rare form of E. coli become sick.
E. coli O103 can be life threatening, and cause hemolytic uremic syndrome in victims of e. coli food-borne illness.
