Aldi recalled a lot of goods in March 2024 because its Village Bakery Tortilla Wraps were thought to have metal pieces in them. According to the U. K. Food Standards Agency, the substance might have ended up in the flatbread due to tampering. Minerals like iron and zinc are needed by the body in small amounts, but the metal-laced tortilla wraps have been told not to be eaten by the authorities.
This isnt the first time Aldi has issued a concerning food product recall. When it comes to customer safety, the company has had to issue bigger (and sometimes more shocking) recalls in the past. One was about dangerous cheese, and another was about 130,000 pounds of dangerous meat that 35 states had to deal with. There was even an incident of horse meat that suppliers tried to pass off as beef. Read on if you want to know the biggest food recalls that have ever affected Aldi products.
Is There a Recall on Aldi Ground Beef? What to Know About the USDA Warning
As a regular Aldi shopper you may be wondering if there is a recall on their ground beef after recent concerning headlines. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) did in fact issue a public health alert regarding potential contamination in certain raw ground beef products sold at Aldi.
In this article, we’ll provide details on the Aldi ground beef health alert, including how to tell if you have the affected product. We’ll also outline key steps to take and answer some common questions around this situation.
Understanding the USDA Aldi Ground Beef Health Alert
On August 8th, 2023, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released a public health alert regarding raw ground beef packaged by Cargill and sold at select Aldi locations nationwide.
Here are the key facts:
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The health alert was initiated after Aldi notified the FSIS that some of their ground beef packages contained clear plastic contamination.
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The affected product is USDA Choice Black Angus Beef, Beef for Carne Picada.
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It was produced on July 25th with a use or freeze by date of August 22nd, 2023.
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The Julian date is 206 and the timestamp is between 08:43 and 09:23.
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The establishment number is Est. 85M.
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The product is no longer available on store shelves but may be in customers’ freezers.
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There have been no confirmed illnesses, but the USDA has concerns about potential health risks.
Is There an Official Recall of the Aldi Ground Beef?
Importantly, this health alert does not constitute an official product recall. Since the affected ground beef is no longer available for purchase, a recall was not issued. However, the USDA wanted to warn consumers who may have the contaminated beef stored in their fridge or freezer.
If you find you do have the product at home, you should not eat it. Instead, throw it away or return it to Aldi for a full refund.
Identifying the Potentially Contaminated Aldi Ground Beef
You can look for the specific label information, dates, and establishment number provided in the alert to determine if your Aldi ground beef is affected.
The packaging will state “USDA Choice Black Angus Beef, Beef for Carne Picada” and have a use or freeze by date of 8/22/23. The Julian date will be 206 and the timestamp between 08:43 and 09:23. Finally, look for the establishment number Est. 85M.
You can also reference photos of the label on the USDA website for visual confirmation. Checking your beef carefully is crucial to avoid any potential health risks from consuming the contaminated meat.
Steps to Take If You Have the Affected Ground Beef
If you confirm your Aldi ground beef matches the description in the health alert, follow these steps:
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Do not eat the product. Discard it immediately or return it to Aldi for a refund.
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Disinfect any surfaces or containers that may have touched the contaminated meat. Use a chlorine bleach solution to sanitize.
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If you have consumed the beef recently and feel unwell, see your healthcare provider.
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Notify the USDA toll-free at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) if you experienced any injury or illness.
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Contact Cargill with questions about the health alert and affected product at 1-844-419-1574.
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Save all packaging and receipts if you plan to return the beef to Aldi for a refund.
Following proper handling and cooking procedures for raw meat can help reduce foodborne illness risks. But when contaminated beef enters the food supply chain, serious health consequences can result. Heeding this public health warning on the Aldi ground beef can help protect you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions on the Aldi ground beef health alert:
Is eating the contaminated beef dangerous?
Yes, consuming beef containing plastic poses a choking hazard and injury risk. There are also concerns about foodborne illness.
What types of illness can contaminated beef cause?
Pathogens like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria in beef can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Certain high-risk groups may develop severe complications.
How did plastic get into the meat?
The plastic likely originated from food processing equipment. Machinery parts can wear down over time and get intermixed with food products. Proper maintenance and inspection processes aim to prevent this.
Does cooking contaminated beef make it safe?
No, cooking cannot kill or remove the plastic pieces. Consumers should discard rather than try to cook the affected beef returned in the health alert.
Can I return recalled or alerted products?
Yes, stores like Aldi have responsibility under food safety regulations to issue refunds for contaminated products, even without an official recall.
Stay Informed on Food Recalls
The USDA Aldi ground beef health alert demonstrates the importance of staying up-to-date on food safety notices. When grocery products contain physical or biological hazards, stores and regulators act quickly to warn consumers about potential risks and remove contaminated items from shelves.
Paying attention to food recall announcements, such as through email alerts, can help you take prompt action if needed. Stay vigilant to keep your family safe from foodborne illnesses and dangerous food contamination events.
Six deaths and 159 hospitalizations from cantaloupe
When you hear about salmonella, you typically think of contaminated eggs or meat, but did you know that it could also come from fruit? In October 2023, the CDC cautioned the public about eating pre-cut cantaloupe after a salmonella outbreak affected 407 people. Of that number, 159 were hospitalized and six died. The agency, however, added that those statistics were likely underreported because there were victims who recovered from salmonella without going to the hospital or getting tested.
The contaminated cantaloupes were distributed and sold in 44 states, leading to huge recalls involving many restaurants and retail chains. Aldi, for its part, issued a recall notice for its cantaloupe, cantaloupe chunk, and pineapple spear products in its stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Cantaloupes can get sick in a lot of different ways, such as by touching animal poop or dirty irrigation water or by being handled badly by farm workers. The bacteria could also spread when the fruit isnt washed thoroughly. Cantaloupes have a bumpy surface that is perfect for bacteria to grow on. If the tainted rind gets cut, the salmonella could move to the flesh inside. This is one reason its best to avoid pre-cut fruit.
More than 132,000 pounds of meat contaminated with E.coli
In July 2018, at least 18 people started feeling sick after consuming ground beef from manufacturer Cargill Meat Solutions. Two months later, the USDA announced that one victim had died. The culprit? E.coli.
The USDA said that meat from the chuck part of the carcass was contaminated with a strain of E. coli (O26) that could cause fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and kidney failure. On average, people get sick 34 days after being exposed. This means that by the time the authorities found out what was going on, the beef products had already been sent to places all over the country.
To contain the outbreak, Cargill recalled 132,000 pounds of its meat products, with Aldi asking its customers in 11 states to dispose of a couple of varieties of 80% lean ground beef patty products. The company also advised Chicagoland-based consumers using the Instacart delivery service to discard the affected items. The massive recall worked and the CDC said that the outbreak was contained.
The Biggest Food Recalls In Aldi’s History
FAQ
What brand of ground beef was recalled?
How do I know if my ground beef is part of the recall?
Where does Aldi ground beef come from?
Is Aldi beef contaminated with clear plastic?
(CBS DETROIT) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for a raw beef product sold at Aldi stores due to it possibly containing soft, clear plastic.
Does Aldi have a recall?
The product was produced on July 25 and sold at select Aldi locations nationwide—however, a recall is not being issued because the product is no longer on store shelves. FSIS issued the alert because it’s concerned that customers may have the contaminated beef in their fridges or freezers.
Is Aldi beef contaminated with foreign matter?
WASHINGTON — A public health alert was issued on Friday for a raw beef product sold at Aldi supermarkets nationwide over the possibility of foreign matter contamination.
Does Aldi have Black Angus meat?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued the alert for USDA Choice Black Angus Beef From Aldi, Beef for Carne Picada product after Aldi notified FSIS that plastic had been noticed in the meat.