Shaved Beef Sold in Illinois Recalled for Plastic Contamination

BOSTON, MASS. -- Four tons of shaved beef and shaved steak sold in Illinois have been recalled by a Boston-based company for possible plastic contamination.

F.B. Packing Co. is recalling 8,430 pounds of the following products produced on Dec. 21, 2016, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service:

• 10-lb. poly bag packages containing thin-sliced (shaved) pieces of “Frank Bertolino Beef Co. Inc. Certified Angus Beef XL Shaved Steak” with case code 71888
• 10-lb. poly bag packages containing thin-sliced (shaved) pieces of “Bellissimo Silver Beef Shaved Steak” with case code 71882

The packages have the establishment number “EST. 17994A” inside the USDA mark of inspection and a "use by" date of July 21, 2017. The products, shipped to retail stores in Illinois and Massachusetts, may be contaminated with strands of plastic packaging material.

"The problem was discovered when the firm was notified of the foreign matter by a retail store," according ot the USDA. "The product contained readily visible, long, thin strands of clear soft plastic from packaging material. Because the plastic is readily visible and identifiable, it is highly unlikely that it would be consumed and, therefore, the health risk is extremely low."

There have been no reports of illness related to the recalled beef products, the USDA said.

Images via USDA