Health Law

87,000 pound beef recall

By Drew Falkenstein

Today, FSIS reported that Sampco, Inc., a Chicago, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 87,000 pounds of beef products that may contain the animal drug Ivermectin.  Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic and is used as a de-worming agent in live animals.

The following products are subject to recall:

  *12 oz. cans of "Libby's CORNED BEEF" distributed to retail locations nationwide with production codes "100222 U," "100219 U," or "100224 U."

  *35 lb. boxes of "Seasoned Cooked Beef" distributed to an establishment for further processing.

Each product package bears "BRASIL 337 S.I.F" on either the top or the side, as well as "Product of Brazil" or "Packed under Brazilian Government Inspection."

The problem was discovered through FSIS routine sampling. Since March 15, 2010, samples from cooked beef products imported from Brazil establishment SIF 337 have resulted in twelve instances of the level of Ivermectin found in the product exceeding the tolerance level established by the Department of Health and Human Service's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of 10 parts per billion in beef muscle. The production lots that produced violative results were refused entry into the U.S. and are not available in commerce. However, it was discovered associated products with similar source materials entered the country separately. These are the products that were released into commerce and therefore subject to the recall. The Brazilian firm SIF 337 has been delisted and beef products from that establishment are not permitted entry to the U.S.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on May 15, 2010 (boomark / email).