California Company Recalls 60K Pounds Of Ground Beef That May Contain Plastic Bits

WASHINGTON (CBSLA.com) — A California meat company is recalling nearly 60,000 pounds of ground beef believing the product -- bound for school lunches in several states -- might contain small pieces of plastic.

The Central Valley Meat Company, based in Hanford, is recalling 58,240 pounds of ground beef, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS.)

Per FSIS, the recall was described as a Class 1: "A health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the produce will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."

The products subject to recall include: 40-lb. cases containing 10-lb. cases 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.

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, says FSIS.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Brian Coelho, Central Valley's General Manager, at (559) 583-9624.

Customers with food safety questions can also "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov.

For information on how to report a problem with a meat, poultry or processed egg product to FSIS at any time, visit www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Problems_With_Food_Products.