Over 20,000 pounds of frozen raw beef products imported by South American Meat Inc. from Uruguay are under recall. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall after discovering the beef bypassed mandatory import reinspection procedures.
Why Does The FSIS Need To Inspect Imports?
FSIS is part of a science-based national system that ensures food safety. It inspects imported shipments to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, and any signs of tampering. It also identifies products adulterated by transportation damage.
Potentially Affected Products
These potentially unsafe products were shipped to distributors, restaurants, retailers, and institutions in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington. Here's a breakdown of the recalled frozen beef items:
- Various weight cardboard cases labeled as "Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A." followed by the specific cut (e.g., AGUJA CHUCK ROLL, ASADO SIN HUESO SHORT RIB)
- Look for case code JP0001, JP0002, JP0003, JP0004, JP0005, JP0006, JP0007, JP0008, or JP0009
- All recalled products will have "FRICASA" displayed on the individually vacuum-sealed packaging
- Look for the Uruguay establishment number "58" printed inside the Uruguay inspection mark on both the shipping box and the vacuum-sealed packaging.
What to Do If You Purchased Recalled Beef
The FSIS urges consumers not to consume or serve the recalled beef. If you have any of these products in your freezer, throw them away immediately or return them to the place of purchase. There have been no reported illnesses yet, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.
How to Stay Informed and Get Help
For further information and a complete list of recalled products, visit the FSIS website.
If you have questions about the recall, contact South American Meat Inc. at 310-720-5258.
Consumers with food safety concerns can reach out to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854). You can also report problems with meat products online.
