Taco Bell Recall Impacts 2.3M Pounds of Seasoned Beef After Consumer Finds Metal Shavings in Food

More than 2 million pounds of seasoned beef used in Taco Bell burritos and tacos have been recalled, after reports of problems involving metal shavings in the meat, which may pose a choking or laceration hazard.

The U.S Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the Taco Bell recall on October 14, 2019, following several complaints from customers who found metal pieces in the ground beef. To date, no injuries have been reported in relation to the recall.

The ground beef was distributed for sale exclusively to Taco Bell franchises. Reports indicate it may contain metal shavings of unknown sizes, posing a serious choking or laceration hazard to consumers.

The recall has been categorized as a Class I recall, which is the most serious classification, indicating the potential for serious adverse health consequences, including death. Officials warn that if metal shavings are swallowed, it could require emergency medical intervention to prevent internal organ lacerations. Those who accidentally bite into metal shavings could experience lacerations to the mouth and damaged teeth.

The recall includes an estimated 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef products manufactured by Kenosha Beef International of Columbus, Ohio, from September 20, 2019 through October 4, 2019. Impacted products were packaged in cases containing eight 5-pound plastic bags of “TACO BELL SEASONED BEEF Taco and Burrito Filling” with use by dates of November 4, 2019 through November 18, 2019 and were marked with EST. 10130 number on the case.

The beef products were shipped from Kenosha Beef International to distribution centers in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Virginia where they were delivered exclusively to Taco Bell restaurants in 21 states across the eastern Midwest, northern Southeast and Northeast regions.

FSIS is instructing all restaurant locations that have purchased ground beef products from Kenosha Beef International to check their inventory for the recalled products and to either throw the products away, or return them to their place of purchase.

Taco Bell issued a release on Monday indicating that 100% of the impacted ground beef products had been removed from all restaurants across the 21 states.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall are encouraged to contact Dennis Vignieri, President and CEO of Kenosha Beef International at 262-859-2272.