Wegmans Recalls Hash Browns Due To Golf Ball Contamination

BEL AIR, MD — The recall of a hash browns brand at Virginia Harris Teeter stores last week has expanded to Wegmans stores Thursday. According to the Food and Drug Administration, golf ball materials may have been "inadvertently harvested" with potatoes used to make McCain Foods' frozen hash browns.

The recalled products made by McCain Foods USA, Inc., which distributes them under the Harris Teeter and Roundy’s brands, according to a press release from the FDA. The 28-ounce bag of frozen O’Brien Hash Browns were distributed after Oct. 21, 2016 at Wegmans in Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

There are Wegmans stores in Bel Air, Columbia, Crofton, Frederick, Germantown, Hunt Valley, Owings Mills and Woodmore. SIGN UP: Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.

The materials could cause a choking hazard or a "physical injury to the mouth" if eaten, the FDA release said. The affected products include: Roundy’s Brand, 2 lb. Bag of Frozen Southern Style Hash Browns (UPC 001115055019) and Harris Teeter Brand, 2 lb. Bag of Frozen Southern Style Hash Browns (UPC 007203649020). The production code is B170119, which can be found on the back of the packaging.

The Harris Teeter products were distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia and Maryland. The products were manufactured on January 19 and distributed after that date.

No injuries have been reported because of the golf ball contamination. Anyone who has the affected products should throw them out, McCain says, and can call 630- 857-4533 with any questions.

"Food safety remains a top priority for McCain Foods USA, Inc. and we have full confidence that all appropriate steps are being taken to protect our consumers," the recall announcement says. "McCain is working cooperatively with the Food & Drug Administration and the respective supermarkets to ensure the affected products are removed from the marketplace."

— Reporting by Marc Torrence and Emily Leayman

Image via FDA