Corte Argentino USA LLC has initiated a substantial recall of nearly 30,000 pounds of raw beef due to an import inspection violation. The beef, which was imported from Argentina, failed to undergo the necessary reinspection mandated by U.S. regulations. This event was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on August 7, marking it as a Class I recall, the agency’s most serious classification, indicating a high risk of health hazards.
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The recall impacts approximately 29,628 pounds of beef products distributed predominantly to retailers in Florida and Texas. Specific items affected include various boneless cuts of beef from Frigorifico Gorina SAIC, with use-by dates ranging from September 15 to September 20. Consumers are urged to discard these items or return them to their place of purchase to avoid any potential health risks associated with consuming the products.
According to the FSIS, the beef was produced between May 15 and May 20 and was shipped in cardboard boxes marked with the establishment number “EST. N° OF. 2025” and the shipping mark “26644-AA.” The recall was a result of routine inspection activities by FSIS, which found that the products had not undergone the essential import reinspection prior to their release into U.S. commerce.
The FSIS has expressed concerns about consumers possibly having these products in their homes. They have stressed the importance of not consuming the recalled items. While there have been no reported cases of illness or injury associated with the consumption of these products, the FSIS encourages anyone who may experience health issues to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Corte Argentino USA LLC is known for importing Argentine Frigorifico Gorina Angus beef and provides meat supplies to various sectors, including restaurants and hotels. The company is expected to cooperate fully with FSIS to ensure that all affected products are removed from the market. FSIS will oversee recall effectiveness checks to confirm that Corte Argentino USA LLC properly informs its customers about the recall and takes the necessary actions to safeguard public health.
In light of this incident, the FSIS has reminded consumers to remain vigilant and report any food safety concerns they may have through the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline or via email. They can also address issues using the FSIS Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System available online.
This recall is not an isolated incident; earlier this summer, another significant Class I recall occurred involving over 12,000 pounds of uncooked smoked bacon imported by Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. from Canada. Similarly, that recall was attributed to a lack of proper paperwork review at the border due to human error. Fortunately, just like the beef recall, there were no confirmed illnesses reported in connection with the smoked bacon.
As food safety regulations continue to adapt, this situation highlights the critical need for rigorous compliance with import inspection requirements. The FSIS maintains that thorough inspection of all meat imports is essential to ensuring consumer safety and preventing potential health hazards associated with the consumption of non-compliant products. The ongoing efforts of regulatory bodies play a vital role in safeguarding public health and maintaining confidence in food supply chains.