USDA Recalls 30 Tons Of Ground Beef Made And Distributed In Texas

AUSTIN, TX -- A Corpus Christi beef processor has recalled more than 30 tons of Hill Country Fare ground beef after metal foreign objects were found in one batch.

Sam Kane Beef Processors LLC of Corpus Christi recalled the 60,350 pounds of meat that was distributed to three HEB grocery distribution centers throughout Texas. Hill Country Fare is the store brand for HEB, under which the grocer sells many food items.

In the recall notice posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, officials don't specify the stores that received the affected beef shipment. However, regulators are urging consumers to discard the beef or return it to the point of purchase rather than consuming it.

The advice is an abundance of caution after one consumer reported the presence of metal fragments in purchased beef, regulators said. There have been no reports of injury as a result of consumption of the contaminated beef.

"The problem was discovered when the establishment was notified of a consumer’s complaint of a small piece of metal in their purchased product," USDA officials wrote in the recall notice.

The affected food was produced on July 26, and bears the establishment number “EST. 337” printed inside the USDA mark or on the product packaging seam. The specific recalled products and their label information follows:

• 10-pound chubs containing “Hill Country Fare Ground Beef” 73% Lean/27% Fat with a Packed On date of 7/26/2016, a Use-By date of 8/15/2016, and bearing case code number 00090180;
• 5-pound chubs containing “Hill Country Fare Ground Beef” 73% Lean/27% Fat with a Packed On date of 7/26/2016, a Use-By date of 8/15/2016, and bearing case code number 00090150;
• 3-pound chubs containing “Hill Country Fare Ground Beef” 73% Lean/27% Fat with a Packed On date of 7/26/2016, a Use-By date of 8/15/2016, and bearing case code number 00090170.

“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them," USDA officials advised. "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."

Consumers with additional questions about the recall can contact Mysti Richardson, director of marketing, at (361) 241-5000, ext. 241.

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