Community Corner

Firm Recalls 58,000 Lbs. Ground Beef Heading to School Cafes

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro says the meat, destined for cafeterias under the National School Lunch Program, should be subject to examination by a food safety agency.

U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today reacted to the recall of 58,000 pounds of ground beef from the Central Valley Meat Company destined for school cafeterias. 

The meat was destined for meals distributed in school lunchrooms under the National School Lunch Program. Last year the same company had their operations suspended by the Agriculture Department for humane handling violations.

Central Valley Meat Company, a Hanford, Calif., establishment, is recalling 58,240 pounds of ground beef that may contain small pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

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The products subject to recall include:

  • 40-lb. cases containing 10-lb. chubs of “Fine Ground Beef.”     

The products bear the establishment number “Est. 6063A” inside the USDA Mark of Inspection. The products were produced on April 1, 2013, and can be further identified by case code “6063A3091A” or “6063A3091B.”  The products were shipped to distribution centers in Arkansas, California, Montana and Texas and were intended for use by the National School Lunch Program.

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FSIS discovered the problem during an investigation due to customer complaints. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illness or injury due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness or injury should contact a health care professional.

“Allowing facilities to get away with repeat violations of the law is unacceptable, let alone allowing those same rule-breakers to supply the school lunch program. The only way to correct this is a strong, independent food safety agency that I have long called for," DeLauro said. "No family should have to worry that the food their child gets at school will have foreign objects or make them sick."

DeLauro is a senior Democrat and former Chairwoman of the subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Agriculture.

Consumers with food safety questions can see AskKaren.gov or m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-674-6854, is available in English and Spanish and can be reached weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.


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