Commerce, California-based South American Meat Inc., also doing business as 5Gogi LLC, has initiated a recall of over 20,000 pounds of various frozen raw beef products. These products were not presented to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for required import reinspection when they entered the United States. The recall aims to prevent any potential health risks associated with uninspected meat products.
Background
Routine surveillance activities by the FSIS identified the problem. FSIS determined that the products were not presented for import reinspection, which is a violation of safety protocols.
According to the announcement on the USDA’s website the “items were shipped to distributors, restaurants, retailers, and institutions in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington.”
Product Details
- Product Name
- All packages are branded as Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A along with each package’s contents (see below for specific items).
- Individual products are vacuum sealed and each is labeled “FRICASA.”
- Uruguay establishment number “58” is printed inside the Uruguay inspection mark on the shipping box and vacuum-sealed product packaging.
- Import Dates – Packages of frozen raw beef items were imported from Uruguay around March 17, 2024.
- Packaging – Various weight cardboard cases
| Label | Case Code |
| AGUJA CHUCK ROLL | JP001 |
| ASADO SIN HUESO SHORT RIB | JP0002 |
| BIFE ANCHO CUBE ROLL | JP0003 |
| BIFE ANGOSTO STRIPLOIN | JP0004 |
| BIFE GRANDE DE VACÍO FLAP MEAT | JP0005 |
| CARNAZA DE PALETA SHOULDER CLOD | JP0006 |
| LOMO TENDERLOIN | JP0007 |
| MARUCHA OYSTER BLADE | JP0008 |
| PECHO BRISKET | JP0009 |
Consumer Action
Some recalled product may have reached consumers, distributors, restaurants, retailers, or various institutions.
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should not consume, serve, or resell them.
Any affected product should be returned to the place of purchase or disposed of properly.
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can call Tim Yu, Accountant and Logistics Director, South American Meat Inc. by phone at 310-720-5258 or via email at [email protected].
FSIS said that it routinely performs recall effectiveness checks to ensure that businesses inform their customers about the recall and take steps to remove the product from consumer access.
Health Risks
Fortunately, no illness or adverse injuries have been reported in connection with the recalled products.
Commenting on this story, one national food safety attorney said, “At this time it does not appear that these frozen beef products are contaminated with pathogens or foreign material. However, these types of recalls still play a critical role in protecting our food supply.”
