On May 12, 2008, Fairbank Reconstruction Corp. recalled about 22,481 pounds of ground beef products after consumers reported that the products contained pieces of plastic.

The following are descriptions of the recalled ground beef:

• 1.2-pound trays of “Shaw’s Fresh Ground Sirloin 90/10.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a Julian Date of “124” on the bottom right hand corner, and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1.3-pound trays of “Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef 80/20.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a Julian Date of “124” on the bottom right hand corner, and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1-pound trays of “Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80/20.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a Julian Date of “124” on the bottom right hand corner, and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 3-pound trays of “Shaw’s Fresh Ground Beef Patties Family Pack 80/20.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a Julian Date of “124” on the bottom right hand corner, and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1.3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Sirloin Patties, 90% Lean 10% Fat.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08” and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1.3- and 3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Fresh Homestyle Ground Beef Round Patty, 85% Lean 15% Fat.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08” and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Pub Style Ground Beef Chuck Patty, 80% Lean 20% Fat.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08” and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1.3-pound trays of “Price Chopper Fresh Homestyle Ground Beef Chuck Patty, 80% Lean, 20% Fat.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a “Sell-by” date of “05/13/08” and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 5.3-pound trays of “BJ’S Fresh Ground Beef, 100% Beef, Contains 15% Fat.” Labels have a “Sell-by” date of “05/15/08” and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 1-pound trays of “Fairbank Farms Ground Chuck Patties, 100% Beef, Contains 20% Fat.” Labels on the bottom of the packages have a “Sell-by” date of “05/15/08” and the establishment number “EST. 492” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Ground beef products included in the recall were produced on May 3, 2008 and were distributed to retail establishments in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York.

Consumers who have questions about the Fairbank Farm ground beef products recall may contact the company at 800-724-1136. Customers may also ?Ask Karen,? the Food Safety Inspection Service?s virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. In addition, questions can be answered at the United States Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline: 1-888-674-6854.

Source: ?New York Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products That May Contain Pieces of Plastic,? United States Department of Agriculture News Release, May 12, 2008.