USDA Recalls 167,639 Pounds of Beef, Goat, and Pork Over Inspection Concerns
More than 167,000 pounds of raw beef, goat, and pork products have been recalled after federal food safety officials determined that the meat was produced without the required federal inspection.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, commonly known as FSIS, announced the recall involving Star Meat Delivery Inc., a company based in Lucama, North Carolina. According to the agency, the affected products were distributed to locations across the United States through a distributor in Georgia.
The recall covers a large variety of raw meat products, and federal officials are warning consumers, restaurants, and retailers to check their refrigerators and freezers for potentially affected items.
Why Was the Meat Recalled?
The recall involves approximately 167,639 pounds of beef, goat, and pork products. The FSIS said the products were made without the benefit of federal inspection.
Federal inspection is an important part of the U.S. meat safety system. Meat and poultry products covered by federal inspection requirements are examined and processed under established food safety rules. Products that enter commerce without the required inspection may not have received the safety checks required under federal law.
In this case, officials said the affected products carried what appeared to be an inspection mark showing establishment number "EST. 1363." However, the establishment did not have a federal grant of inspection associated with that number.
The issue was identified during FSIS surveillance activities.
The agency said products made without inspection could potentially contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants. Because of that concern, consumers are being advised not to eat products covered by the recall.
What Products Are Included?
The recalled products include a wide range of raw beef, goat, and pork cuts. They were reportedly packaged in cardboard boxes in different weights.
Among the products identified in the recall are goat cuts, goat burn skin-on cuts, ribeye slices, thin-sliced beef chuck, beef oxtail, beef short ribs, bone-in shanks, ground pork, pork chorizo, pork chops, pork feet, pork rib pieces, diced pork Boston cuts, sliced pork Boston cuts, menudo mix, thin-sliced pork Boston cuts, sliced pork hocks, beef ribs, thin-sliced beef short ribs, sliced pork Boston butt, and beef feet.
Because the recall includes numerous products and package sizes, consumers should not rely solely on the type of meat when determining whether something is affected.
The FSIS also warned that additional products could potentially be added to the recall as the investigation develops.
Where Were the Products Distributed?
According to the federal agency, the recalled products were shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor based in Georgia.
From there, the meat was supplied to restaurants and retail establishments in different parts of the country.
That means consumers may encounter the recalled products in household freezers, while restaurants and retailers may still have affected inventory on their premises.
Anyone who handles or purchases raw meat should therefore check available information carefully before preparing or serving products that could be subject to the recall.
What Should Consumers Do?
The FSIS is advising consumers not to eat any products covered by the recall.
If a recalled product is found in a refrigerator or freezer, consumers should either return it to the location where it was purchased or dispose of it safely.
People should also avoid tasting the product to determine whether it is safe. Food can contain harmful microorganisms or other contaminants without having an unusual smell, appearance, or taste.
Consumers who believe they may have become sick after consuming a recalled product should contact a health care provider. The FSIS has stated that there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses or injuries connected to the recalled meat at the time of its announcement.
Restaurants and retailers should also review their inventories and make sure recalled products are not being sold, served, or otherwise distributed.
Why the Recall Classification Matters
The recall has been classified by the FSIS as a Class I recall.
A Class I classification is used when the agency determines there is a reasonable probability that consuming or using the recalled product could result in serious health consequences or death.
The classification does not mean that every person who consumed the product will become sick. Rather, it reflects the agency's assessment of the potential risk associated with the identified food safety problem.
The lack of required federal inspection is significant because officials cannot establish that the affected meat went through the normal inspection process required for federally inspected products.
Another Recent Recall Involved Uninspected Chicken
The latest recall comes after another FSIS action involving poultry products.
In August, approximately 24,900 pounds of frozen Buffalo chicken products were recalled because they were also produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
That earlier recall involved products distributed to food service locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The products were associated with Shanghai Ravioli Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts. Federal officials said the poultry products carried false inspection markings associated with establishment number "EST. 18004."
The recalled items included Buffalo Chicken Rangoon and Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Stick products.
According to the information released by FSIS, the chicken products were produced between July 8, 2025, and June 29, 2026.
The earlier recall demonstrates why consumers and businesses should pay attention to federal recall notices, particularly when purchasing or handling meat and poultry products.
What Does Federal Inspection Mean for Consumers?
Federal meat inspection is designed to help ensure that regulated meat and poultry products meet applicable safety and labeling requirements before entering commerce.
Inspection also provides regulators with a system for identifying establishments and tracing products through the supply chain.
When products are produced outside the federal inspection system, regulators may have less assurance that required procedures were followed.
That does not automatically mean that every individual package contains harmful bacteria or another contaminant. However, the absence of required inspection creates a food safety concern serious enough for the FSIS to remove affected products from the marketplace.
Consumers Should Check Their Freezers
Because the recalled meat may have been distributed through restaurants and retail locations nationwide, consumers should take the recall seriously and check meat products they have stored at home.
People should pay particular attention to products that match the descriptions in the official FSIS notice.
If there is uncertainty about whether a product is affected, consumers should consult the official recall information rather than relying on appearance or smell.
Raw meat should always be handled carefully. Consumers should wash their hands after handling raw meat, clean surfaces that come into contact with it, and follow appropriate food preparation practices.
Final Takeaway
The recall of more than 167,000 pounds of beef, goat, and pork highlights the importance of federal inspection in the U.S. food supply.
The FSIS says the affected products were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and carried false inspection markings. Because potentially recalled products may still be in homes, restaurants, or stores, consumers should check their supplies and avoid eating products covered by the recall.
At the time of the announcement, the FSIS reported no confirmed illnesses or injuries associated with the recalled meat. Nevertheless, the agency has classified the recall as Class I because of the potential seriousness of the food safety concern.
Consumers who find recalled products should not consume them. They should return them to the place of purchase or dispose of them appropriately. Anyone experiencing symptoms they believe may be connected to consuming a recalled product should seek medical advice.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, recall notice concerning Star Meat Delivery Inc. and raw beef, goat, and pork products.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, recall notice concerning Shanghai Ravioli Corporation and frozen Buffalo chicken products.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is based on information available from the cited sources at the time of writing. Recall information can change as federal investigations continue, and additional products may be added to an existing recall. Consumers should consult the official USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recall notice for the most current product details. This article is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.