Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products That May Contain Foreign Materials

Holten Meat, Inc., a Sauget, Ill., establishment, is recalling approximately 241,000 pounds of ground beef product that may contain foreign materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following product is subject to recall:
• 20-pound cases of "100% PURE GROUND BEEF BULK." Each case contains four (4) 5-pound Keeper Casing Chubs per box, which can be identified by the package code "12000" and the label code "1007982112000." Each product is also labeled "PACKED FOR INSTITUTIONAL USE ONLY" — "NOT FOR RESALE."

Each label bears the establishment number "EST-02591" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product was produced on various dates from January 2009 through May 2009 and was distributed to institutions in Del., Fla., Ill., Ky., N.C., N.M., Ohio, S.C., Tenn., Texas, and Va.

The problem was discovered after the company received complaints from institutional customers about finding metal clips, which were used to seal the casing chubs, in the product. FSIS has not received any consumer complaints at this time. Neither FSIS nor the establishment has received reports of injury at this time. Anyone concerned about an injury from consumption of the products should contact a physician.

Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the Company spokesperson, Pat Flanigan at: (618) 337-8400, ext. 261.

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.

To confirm this notification, visit FSIA at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_025_2009_Release/index.asp.