A North Carolina distributor shipped beef, pork and goat products nationwide bearing a bogus federal inspection mark, triggering the USDA's most serious recall class.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recalled roughly 167,639 pounds of raw meat products on September 22, 2026, after determining the meat was never federally inspected despite bearing what officials say is a false USDA inspection mark.
What was recalled
The recalled items came from Star Meat Delivery Inc. of Lucama, North Carolina, and covered 23 different product types, including:
- Goat cuts
- Beef ribeye slices, oxtail, short ribs, feet and shanks
- Menudo mix
- Pork chorizo, chops, feet, ribs and ground pork
FSIS says the products were marked with establishment number 'EST. 1363,' which does not correspond to any USDA-inspected facility. The meat was shipped nationwide through A&D Foods, a Georgia-based distributor, reaching retail stores and restaurants before the September 22 production cutoff FSIS identified.
Why this is a Class I recall
FSIS classified the recall as Class I, its most serious category, meaning consuming the product could reasonably be expected to cause serious health problems or even death. That classification reflects the fact that the meat skipped the bacterial and contaminant checks that federally inspected plants are required to perform, not a confirmed contamination. No illnesses or injuries had been reported as of the announcement.
What to do if you have this meat
Check freezers and fridges for the affected cuts. FSIS notes that retail packaging may not show the false inspection mark, since stores often apply their own price stickers, so compare products against the recall notice's production dates. Throw the meat away or return it to the store, and call a doctor if you feel ill after eating it. Questions can go to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.
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