Ground Beef Products Recalled for Plastic and Metal Contamination
More than 30,000 pounds of ground beef products from Washington Beef have been recalled due to fears of plastic and metal contamination. According to a US News report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said that the company is recalling 30,260 pounds of ground beef products that “may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard plastic and metal.”
Details of the Recall
Recalled products include two types of Double R Ranch 100 percent Ground Beef, several types of St. Helens 100 percent Ground Beef, Double R Ranch Course Beef Chubs, American Wagyu Fine Ground Beef Chubs and Smoked Boneless Ground Beef Chuck Blend. The FSIS issued a Class I recall, which is the most severe kind that indicates a health hazard where there is a reasonable probability that the product’s use will cause serious injuries or death.
The recalled beef products were produced on Dec. 27, 2018 and include a use-by or freeze-by date of Jan. 20, 2019. The products were distributed nationwide. The contamination was first reported to Washington Beef on Feb. 28. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or illnesses as a result of this contamination. However, federal officials are concerned that the product may still be stored in people’s freezers. Anyone who has bought these products should thrown them out or return them to the store for a refund, officials said.
Contaminated Food and Danger to Consumers
Our food production and processing systems are quite industrialized. Therefore, it’s not too surprising that metal pieces end up in food products. Most food is processed on machines with metal parts. When pieces of machinery break off in a processing plant, they could get mixed up with the food.
This type of contamination has the potential to be extremely dangerous because of the serious injuries it could pose. Consumers face the risk of suffering serious injuries to their teeth and mouth from chewing on metal or sharp plastic pieces. If they ingest shards, there is also the potential for serious or fatal internal injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured by contaminated food products, you may be able to seek and obtain compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. You may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, permanent injuries, disfigurement, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced California personal injury lawyer will be able to help you understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-03-04/30-000-pounds-of-ground-beef-recalled-over-contamination-fears