FSIS Issues Class I Recall for 167,639 Pounds of Uninspected Meat with Fake USDA Labels

4 min read
Source: USA Today
FSIS Issues Class I Recall for 167,639 Pounds of Uninspected Meat with Fake USDA Labels
Photo: USA Today
TL;DR

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a Class I recall for 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef, and goat products. The meat, produced by Star Meat Delivery Inc. in Lucama, North Carolina, was distributed nationwide without federal inspection and bore a false USDA inspection mark. The products were shipped in bulk to A&D Foods, a Georgia-based distributor, which then supplied retailers and restaurants across the country. FSIS warns that the uninspected meat may contain harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens, or other contaminants, posing a high risk to consumer health. No illnesses have been reported so far, but officials urge consumers to discard or return any affected products immediately.

Key points

  • Star Meat Delivery Inc. is recalling 167,639 pounds of raw meat for bearing a false USDA inspection label (establishment number 'EST. 1363').
  • The products were produced without federal inspection and distributed nationwide via A&D Foods, a Georgia distributor.
  • FSIS classifies this as a Class I recall, indicating a high probability of adverse health consequences.
  • Affected items include various cuts of pork, beef, and goat, vacuum-packed in cardboard boxes.
  • No illnesses or injuries have been confirmed in connection with the recalled products as of the announcement.
  • Consumers are advised to throw away or return the meat, while retailers and restaurants must stop selling or serving it.

Background

This recall follows a pattern of recent meat safety issues in the U.S. In August 2026, the USDA recalled approximately 30,000 pounds of raw Argentine beef that entered the country without mandatory reinspection, also classified as a Class I recall. That incident, involving Corte Argentino USA LLC, affected retailers in Florida and Texas. The current recall by Star Meat Delivery is significantly larger in volume and involves domestic production with falsified federal labels, highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring the integrity of the meat supply chain.

How outlets are covering it

All four sources (USA Today, Delish, Cobb Courier, and WCTI) agree on the core facts: the recall size (167,639 pounds), the producer (Star Meat Delivery Inc.), the distributor (A&D Foods), and the reason (false USDA labels and lack of inspection). USA Today and Delish emphasize the consumer risk and the specific product list, noting that retail packages may have different stickers. The Cobb Courier highlights the Georgia connection of the distributor but notes that specific local stores have not been identified. WCTI provides the specific location of the producer (Lucama, North Carolina) and reiterates the 'Class I' risk level. There are no significant disagreements among the outlets, but WCTI and the archive context provide more detail on the geographic origin and the severity classification compared to the more general consumer-focused tone of USA Today and Delish.

Why it matters

This recall is significant because it involves a large volume of meat that bypassed federal safety inspections entirely, using fraudulent labels to enter the supply chain. The Class I designation indicates a high risk of serious health consequences, including potential exposure to harmful bacteria and undeclared allergens. The nationwide distribution through a major distributor means the affected products could be in homes, restaurants, and retail stores across the country, making it difficult for consumers to identify them if they have been repackaged by stores. This incident underscores the importance of federal oversight and the potential dangers of fraudulent labeling in the food industry.

What to watch

FSIS is expected to update the list of affected products and labels as more information becomes available. A retail distribution list will be posted on the FSIS recall website when it is ready. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and freezers for the listed products and to discard or return them. Retailers and restaurants are instructed to remove the products from sale. Star Meat Delivery Inc. is handling consumer inquiries, and the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available for food safety questions. No further action is expected from the government unless illnesses are reported or more products are identified.

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