The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service says Star Meat Delivery, Inc. is recalling about 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products that were produced without required inspection and marked with a fraudulent EST. 1363 label. The nationwide recall was classified as Class I, the agency's highest risk level, because the uninspected meat may contain contaminants or undeclared allergens. Consumers who purchased matching products should not eat them and should discard or return them; as of Sept. 22, no illnesses were reported. For questions, contact Star Meat Delivery or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline.
USDA Recalls 167,639 Pounds of Uninspected Pork, Beef and Goat After Fake Inspection Mark Found
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Federal officials have recalled roughly 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products after determining the items were produced without the required federal inspection and were stamped with a fraudulent U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection mark.
What Happened
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says Star Meat Delivery, Inc., of Lucama, North Carolina, initiated the recall on September 22. The products were shipped nationwide to households, restaurants and retailers. The meat was distributed under the A&D Foods label and bore a false establishment mark listed as EST. 1363.
Scope Of The Recall
FSIS placed the action in Class I, the agency's most serious recall category, indicating the uninspected products could pose a significant health risk. The recalled items include:
- Ground pork and pork chorizo
- Pork chops and other pork cuts
- Various goat cuts
- Beef oxtail and beef short ribs
- Other bulk-packed raw meat products—some may have been relabeled by retailers before sale
Health Risk And Consumer Guidance
Because the products did not receive required inspection, they may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants. As of September 22, no illnesses or injuries had been reported in connection with these lots.
If you purchased any raw pork, beef, or goat matching the recalled descriptions, do not eat it. FSIS advises consumers to discard the products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If you have already eaten one of the recalled items, monitor for signs of foodborne illness (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever) and contact a health care provider if you become unwell.
Contacts And Reporting
Questions about the recall can be directed to Jennifer Joyner, media office manager for Star Meat Delivery, Inc., at 252-239-0610. The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available at 888-674-6854. Consumers may also report concerns about meat, poultry, or egg products through the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System on the FSIS website.
Context
FSIS says routine surveillance detected the lack of inspection after the products had entered commerce; this surveillance is designed to spot contamination, sanitation and labeling problems before they reach consumers. The incident highlights broader issues in meat labeling and oversight, including cases where retailers relabel bulk products and ongoing agency scrutiny of labeling claims and packaging practices.
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