US supplier recalls products “unfit for human food”

Classified as a high risk recall, the FSIS said the products were adulterated and “unsound, unwholesome or otherwise unfit for human food and must be removed from commerce”​.

The products ranged from items such as beef jerky to frozen Hot Pockets, which were supplied to US schools for lunches and retail giants including Walmart.

The first recall was issued on 8 February and updated on 14 February when the extent of the adulteration was confirmed.

In a statement, the FSIS said: “FSIS now believes that recalled product was shipped to distribution centres and retail establishments nationwide. This update is a consequence of a properly working recall process. Retail establishments may issue their own recall statements to inform the public about products processed with meat associated with this recall.”​

The company was also criticised by FSIS for carrying out such activities without federal inspection.

Walmart issued a statement which said its Nestlé teams determined one brand had been impacted. It further added: “While Nestlé did not purchase meat directly from Rancho, our procurement teams worked with our supply chain to understand whether any company in this chain may have purchased meat from Rancho Feeding at any time during 2013, the period of time covered by the Rancho Feeding recall.​

“From this review, we have confirmed that a small quantity of meat from Rancho was used at Nestlé’s Chatsworth, California production operation, a facility devoted entirely to Hot Pockets brand sandwiches. The affected batches of the two varieties in our range of Hot Pockets brand sandwiches are being removed from the marketplace.”​

The products were Hot Pockets brand Philly Steak and Cheese in three different pack sizes and Hot Pockets brand Croissant Crust Philly Steak and Cheese in the two-pack box.

However, no reports of illness due to consumption of the products have been filed with the FSIS.