Taco Bell immediately recalled around 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef from its restaurants and distribution centers after a customer complained of finding a metal shaving in an order.
The company’s supplier Kenosha Beef International also issued a voluntary call of its seasoned beef possibly contaminated with foreign matter specifically metal shaving.
Kenosha produced the contaminated seasoned beef product at one plant and were sent Taco Bell’s distribution centers in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virgiania.
Taco Bell and Kenosha reported the recall to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’ (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recalled seasoned beef products were produced on different dates between on various dates from September 20 and October 4, 2019. They were cases containing eight 5-lb. plastic bags of “TACO BELL SEASONED BEEF Taco and Burrito Filling” with use by dates of “L2 11/4/19” to “L2 11/18/19.”
Taco Bell said all of its affected restaurants in 21states confirmed that the seasoned beef products have been removed and discarded as of October 14, 2019.
In a statement, Julie Masino, President of North America, Taco Bell, said, “Nothing is more important than our customers’ safety, and nothing means more to us than their trust. As soon as we received the first consumer complaint, we immediately acted to remove the product from the affected restaurants and proactively worked with the supplier to inform the USDA of our steps to protect our guests.”
On the other hand, the USDA stated, “There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.”
Taco Bell is serving 290 million pounds of ground beef every year. The company is one of the largest purchasers of beef in the United States.
