13,865 Pounds of Raw Pork and Beef Products Recalled in 5 States

“U.S.D.A. Choice Beef Chuck Pot Roast Boneless” (L) and “Pork Sirloin Boneless Chop” (R) are two of seven beef and pork products listed in the U.S.D.A. recall on April 12, 2019. (USDA)

Approximately 13,865 pounds of raw pork and beef products are being recalled from five states after being produced without federal inspection and outside inspection hours, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced April 12.

Denver Processing LLC, a meat processing plant in Denver, Colo., is recalling the pork and beef products, which were shipped to retail locations in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The products were produced on April 9, 2019.

The following products are subject to the recall:

• “Pork Sirloin Boneless Chop” with “Sell By 04.18.19” in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays,  lot code 099, case code 60047, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"Pork Sirloin Boneless Chop" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

• “Pork Boneless Loin Top Loin Roast” with “Sell By 04.18.19” in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays, lot code 099, case code 60105, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"Pork Boneless Loin Top Loin Roast" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

• “Diced Pork Super Value Pack” with “Sell By 04.18.19” in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays, lot code 099, case code 06385, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"Diced Pork Super Value Pack" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

• “Pork Loin Boneless Chop” with “Sell By 04.18.19” in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays, lot code 099, case code 60063, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"Pork Loin Boneless Chop" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

• “Pork Loin Boneless Chops Family Pack” with “Sell By 04.18.19”, in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays, lot code 099, case code 19498, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"Pork Loin Boneless Chops Family Pack" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

• “U.S.D.A. Choice Beef Chuck Pot Roast Boneless” with sell by date “0418” in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays, lot code 099, case code 69481, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"U.S.D.A Choice Beef Chuck Pot Roast Boneless" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

• “U.S.D.A. Choice Beef Top Round London Broil” in varying catch weight plastic wrapped trays, with sell by date “0418,” lot code 099, case code 69479, and all time stamps after 14:30.

"U.S.D.A. Choice Beef Top Round London Broil" processed by Denver Processing LLC subject to the USDA recall announced April 12, 2019. (USDA)

The products under the recall have the establishment number “EST. 6250” in the USDA mark of inspection on the case label and directly outside of the mark on the product label.

The problem was discovered April 10 when FSIS personnel were told Denver Processing had produced meat products after approved hours.

FSIS says that people who have the meat products should not eat them and instead throw the meat out or return them to the place of purchase. While there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consuming the products, anyone concerned about a reaction should see their healthcare provider, FSIS warns.

Mandatory Federal Inspection

Meat and poultry inspection for wholesomeness is mandatory and is paid for with public funds, while grading for quality is voluntary and paid for by producers and processors. Meat and poultry inspection and grading are separate programs.

FSIS, the public health agency in the USDA, inspects all raw meat and poultry sold between states as well as imported foreign products. The federal agency even continues to monitor meat and poultry products after they leave federally inspected plants.

From left to right, the USDA inspection marks on raw meat, processed products, and raw poultry. (USDA)

FSIS also monitors state inspection programs for meat products sold within the state where it was produced. According to FSIS, states are required to have inspection programs “at least equal to” the federal inspection program.

Meat that has passed its federal inspection for wholesomeness is stamped with a round purple mark, the dye of which is a food-grade vegetable dye and not harmful. Meat that is packaged in an inspected facility will have an inspection mark that identifies the plant on the label.

After inspection, producers and processors can request that their products be graded for quality by a licensed federal grader. USDA grades are based on nationally uniform federal standards of quality.