USDA posts public alert about plastic in some organic ground beef sold by Whole Foods stores

The USDA has issued a public health alert for certain organic ground beef distributed to Whole Foods stores because it may contain pieces of hard plastic.

There is concern that consumers may have the organic ground beef in their home refrigerators or freezers, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. These items were shipped to Whole Foods locations nationwide. 

The agency reports that a recall has not been initiated because the ground beef is no longer available for purchase. However, the organic ground beef has a use-by date of May 18. To view photos of the implicated products, click here.

“The problem was discovered after the firm received complaints from consumers reporting they found hard, rigid plastic in the ground beef products. The firm then notified FSIS of the issue,” according to the public health alert.

Consumers can determine whether they have the implicated ground beef, which was packaged on April 20, by looking for the following label information:

• 16-oz. vacuum-sealed packages containing “ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN 7% FAT” with a use by date of 5-18-2022.
• 16-oz. vacuum-sealed packages containing “ORGANIC RANCHER ORGANIC GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN 15% FAT” with a use by date of 5-18-2022.

The products have the establishment number “EST. 4027” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products as of the posting of the public health alert.

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