The Food Safety and Inspection Service division of USDA has reported 6 recalls for the month of April.
Out of the 6 recalled products for meat, poultry, and eggs, 3 were due to misbranding due to undeclared allergens, 1 due to unsanitary conditions, 1 for possible foreign matter contamination, and 1 for possible Listeria.
Every recall for the month was a meat product and none for processed egg products.
Ivar’s ready-to-eat meat soup has been recalled due to possible contamination due to being prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary condition.
Another ready-to-eat product, meat and poultry sausage by Alef Sausage Inc., was recalled due to both misbranding and possible temperature abuse. The products were not labeled with a handling statement indicating that they should be kept refrigerated, which could lead to temperature abuse of the products.
Abbyland’s turkey sausages were recalled due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The Abbotsford, WI, facility is recalling about11,800 pounds of frozen turkey meatballs that are labeled as turkey sausage patties. The product contains the allergen soy, which is not listed on the label.
Beef strips by Bruno Beef Strips is another recall due to mislabeling and an undeclared allergen. Another facility in Wisconsin, the company is recalling approximately 7,452 pounds of ready-to-eat snack stick beef strips due to containing hydrolyzed soy protein, an allergen, which is not declared on the product label.
About 2, 122 pounds of raw ground beef burger by Weinstein Wholesale Meats has been recalled over possible foreign matter contamination. The FSIS reports that extraneous materials, namely white neoprene, could be in the product.
Lastly for the month, the FSIS issued a recall alert due to ready-to-eat salad products with chicken and ham that could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products are under Fruit Ridge Farms and Bell’s Bistro labels.
The USDA's FSIS division classifies recalls in three categories:
CLASS I - HIGH OR MEDIUM RISK: This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
CLASS II - LOW RISK: This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
CLASS III - MARGINAL RISK: This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.
Three of the above recalls are high/medium risk: The Alef Sausage, Abbyland, and Weinstein products. Bruno Beef Strips were of low risk.
