Kenosha Beef Recalls Bacon Cheeseburgers Containing Foreign Material

Kenosha Beef International, Ltd., of Kenosha, Wis. is recalling almost 19 tons of frozen bacon cheeseburger patties that may contain pieces of gasket material,  according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  A consumer complaint alerted FSIS to the problem.

The recalled products were sold in 2-lb. cartons containing 6 patties each under the name  Sam’s Choice Fireside Gourmet Black Angus Beef Patties Bacon and Aged Cheddar.  The establishment number “EST425B”  is one each of the packages and a “best if used by” date code 120812B appears in ink jet on carton end panel. The recalled burgers were produced June 11, 2012 and distributed in Indiana, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

So far no injuries or illnesses have been reported in conjunction with this recall. A retail distribution list has not been released as this is a Class II recall and FSIS only makes retail distribution lists for Class I recalls. What’s the difference?

FSIS  organizes recalls into three classes based on the level of risk involved with consuming the product, according to the website. Class I  means there is “a reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death.” Class II means there “ is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from eating the food.” And Class III means no harm will come from eating the food.