One Great Burger, an Elizabeth, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 226,400 pounds of ground beef products that may have become spoiled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during an investigation into customer complaints of discoloration and off-odors in the products. The review uncovered evidence to show that the establishment repackaged and recoded returned products and sent them out for further distribution to institutional customers. Therefore, FSIS must consider the products to be adulterated and has acted to remove the products from commerce. FSIS is continuing to investigate the product subject to recall in commerce. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

The products subject to recall include 20-pound boxes of "ONEGREAT HAMBURGERS" with "ITEM #02044" labeled on the front as well as "KEEP FROZEN." Each box bears establishment number "EST. 34575" within the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced between Jan. 2010 and May 2010 and contain "PACKED ON" dates ranging from July 2010 to Nov. 2010. The products were distributed to institutions in California and Oregon.

Source: FSIS

Butterball donates 8,600 pounds of turkey over holidays

Butterball LLC donated 8,600 pounds of turkey to the Helping Hands United Mission of Mount Olive, N.C., which helped provide meals for hundreds of individuals throughout the community for the holiday season.

On Wed., Dec. 22, Helping Hands United Mission, a 501(c) non-profit organization that has been operating for 15 years completely by donations, provided its annual holiday "food boxes" for those in need. With the help of Butterball’s contribution, the group’s boxes of food included whole bird turkeys for Mount Olive and surrounding area families that needed a little assistance with their holiday meal.

“Hunger in our country affects about 15 percent of U.S. households, according to recent reports1,” said Keith Shoemaker, CEO, Butterball. “We are thankful for the opportunity to join with dedicated individuals and organizations, such as Helping Hands United Mission, that help meet the needs of the community every day.”

In 2010, Butterball donated more than 330,000 pounds of turkey to charitable organizations nationwide.

Source: Butterball LLC

FSIS implements new notice on disposition of non-ambulatory cattle

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has begun implementing Notice 74-10 regarding disposition of non-ambulatory cattle. The notice was announced December 21.

According to the notice, any cattle that are non-ambulatory when presented by the plant to the USDA veterinarian for ante-mortem inspection must be condemned and euthanized. If cattle temporarily lie down at the plant, but rise for ante-mortem inspection, they may be passed if the veterinarian finds them fit for consumption.

The only exception is for veal calves that are non-ambulatory because they are cold or tired. Cold or tired calves may be set apart for treatment and if subsequently deemed fit for consumption, they may be passed. The notice does not apply to calves that are under 400 pounds.

To view the notice, go to www.fsis.usda.gov/oppde/rdad/FSISNotices/74-10.pdf.

Source: AMI

Couple get probation for illegally selling deer meat

The owners of a Ohio butcher shop were sentenced to two years of probation after admitting that they illegally sold deer meat. Kenneth “Kenny” and Kathleen Jo Rienschield pled guilty to three counts of prohibited sale of wildlife. A separate theft charge against Kenneth Rienschield for theft – he was accused of stealing deer meat that was supposed to be donated to food pantries in the area – was dropped, reports the Columbus Dispatch.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources accused the two of illegally selling thousands of pounds of deer meat from July 2007 to April 2010. The couple's lawyer stated that hunters who dropped their deer off to be processed sometimes did not return to pick up the meat. That meat was then processed into sausage and jerky yo recoup the money lost from processing it. Ohio law prohibits the buying or selling of wild animals or their parts.

"I don't think the law was intended to cover this situation," said their lawyer, Andrew Stevenson. "This is a sad story."

The couple's business, Rienschield Finer Meats of Bremen, Ohio, closed last month after 30 years of operation. About 20 full-time and seasonal employees lost their jobs.

Source: Columbus Dispatch