South Carolina Firm Recalls Frozen Meat And Poultry Products Due To Misbranding And Lack Of USDA Inspection

Halal International Processing, a York, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,925 pounds of beef, chicken, goat, and lamb products that were mislabeled. Poultry products labeled with the USDA mark of inspection for meat were identified in commerce. Additionally, it was determined that the establishment was operating at times without the opportunity of federal inspection, which is prohibited, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

All frozen meat and poultry products produced from April 3, 2008, through March 7, 2009, bearing the establishment number "EST. 19825" inside the USDA mark of inspection, are subject to recall. [View Labels, PDF Only] There are no production or code dates to distinguish the products that were produced under inspection from those that were not produced under inspection. The frozen meat and poultry products were distributed to retail establishments in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The problem was discovered after FSIS personnel identified the frozen meat and poultry products in the marketplace. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media and consumers with questions should contact Company Representative Yusef Suleiman at (704) 957-4613.

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.

SOURCE: Halal International Processing