New York Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products That May Contain Pieces of Plastic

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released the following information:

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-015-2008 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Amanda Eamich

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2008 - Fairbank Reconstruction Corp., an Ashville, NY, establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 22,481 pounds of ground beef products that may contain pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
1.2-pound trays of "Shaw's Fresh Ground Sirloin 90/10." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a Julian Date of "124" on the bottom right hand corner, as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
1.3-pound trays of "Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef 80/20." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a Julian Date of "124" on the bottom right hand corner, as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
1-pound trays of "Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80/20." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a Julian Date of "124" on the bottom right hand corner, as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3-pound trays of "Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef Patties Family Pack 80/20." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a Julian Date of "124" on the bottom right hand corner, as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
1.3-pound trays of "Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Sirloin Patties, 90% Lean 10% Fat." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a "Sell-by" date of "05/13/08" as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
1.3- and 3-pound trays of "Price Chopper Fresh Homestyle Ground Beef Round Patty, 85% Lean 15% Fat." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a "Sell-by" date of "05/13/08" as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
3-pound trays of "Price Chopper Pub Style Ground Beef Chuck Patty, 80% Lean 20% Fat." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a "Sell-by" date of "05/13/08" as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
1.3-pound trays of "Price Chopper Fresh Homestyle Ground Beef Chuck Patty, 80% Lean, 20% Fat." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a "Sell-by" date of "05/13/08" as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
5.3-pound trays of "BJ'S Fresh Ground Beef, 100% Beef, Contains 15% Fat." The labels bear a "Sell-by" date of "05/15/08" as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
1-pound trays of "Fairbank Farms Ground Chuck Patties, 100% Beef, Contains 20% Fat." The labels on the bottom of the package bear a "Sell-by" date of "05/15/08" as well as the establishment number "EST. 492" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The products were produced on May 3, and were distributed to retail establishments in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.

The problem was discovered after the company received consumer complaints. FSIS has not received any consumer complaints at this time. No injuries have been reported at this time. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of the products should contact a physician.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the Fairbank Farms' toll-free hotline at (800) 724-1136. Media with questions about the recall should contact Company Representative at Agnes Schafer (816) 512-2291.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Type of Recall:
Class I - 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.