HEB Ground Beef Recall: Metal Pieces Found In Beef, Customer Reports Broken Tooth

If you shop at HEB, the ground beef you recently purchase may be tainted with metal pieces. The USDA issued a report on October 4 stating Texas meat processor Sam Kane Beef has recalled over 90,000 pounds of HEB-brand ground beef products that may be contaminated by bits of metal that were mixed in with the beef during processing.

ABC affiliate WFAA reports that the recall started after the supermarket received four reports from consumers who found metal pieces in packages of HEB Ground Chuck and HEB Ground Beef. One customer reportedly chipped a tooth on a piece of metal that was “3 mm in diameter.”

“@cnnbrk: 90,987 pounds of ground beef products recalled aftr complaints of metal inthe meat. http://t.co/g2VjdTWKqo” pic.twitter.com/pVpSbmtajz

— scott c blamphin (@scootrow) October 5, 2014

The USDA reports that the recalled ground beef products products were produced between September 9 and September 18, 2014, and have sell by dates between September 29 and October 8, 2014. If you recently purchased ground beef at an HEB store, check to make sure you don’t have any of the following recalled products in your refrigerator or freezer.

• 3 lb. packages of “HEB Ground Chuck” with production date of “09/12/14” and a use by date of “10/02/14”
• 5 lb. packages of “HEB Ground Beef”, “73% LEAN 27% FAT” with production date of “09/15/14” and a use by date of “10/05/14”
• 10 lb. packages of “HEB Ground Beef”, “73% LEAN 27% FAT” with production date of “09/18/14” and a use by date of “10/08/14”
• 10 lb. clear film packages of formed patties made from Sam Kane Beef Processors “Ground Chuck” with production date of “9/09/14” and a use by date of “9/29/14”

The USDA considers this a Class I, low-risk recall, but consumers should be aware that metal pieces may exist in some of the ground beef that was sold at various HEB stores in Texas. As of Sunday, there was no mention of the recall on the company’s website, but a statement was issued to the press by their public affairs department.

“H-E-B is committed to the highest standards of food safety for our customers. We work hard to ensure the integrity and safety of all products we offer in our stores, and want to make our customers aware of the select H-E-B items that were recalled by Sam Kane Beef Processors, LLC in an abundance of caution.”

NBC affiliate KXAN reports that customers who purchased any of the recalled ground beef products can return them to their local HEB for a full refund. Any questions about the recall should be directed to H-E-B Customer Relations at 1-800-432-3113.