More than 100 tonnes of beef is subject to an emergency recall across the country after wood fragments were discovered in the meat.
Hormel Foods, which is headquartered in Minnesota and is the maker of a number of popular brands including Spam and Old Smokehouse, is recalling cans of its Dinty Moore beef stew.
The FDA warns that “hard or sharp foreign objects in food can cause traumatic injuries including cuts and punctures to the tissues of the mouth, tongue, throat, stomach, and intestines, as well as damage to the teeth and gums.”
So far, three consumers have filed complaints with the food giant, prompting the decision to recall the compromised product.
The recall applies to cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew with a "Best by Feb 2028" expiration date and lot code "T02045" printed on the label.
The lot code may have an additional number at the end. The cans also bear the identification number “EST 199G”.
These items have been shipped to stores across the country.
The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) warns that the product should not be consumed.
It is added that anyone who has cans of this goulash should throw them away or return them to the place where they purchased them.
While small pieces of foreign material can pass through the gastrointestinal tract without complications, large or irregular fragments can lead to a number of problems.
These complications can include choking, throat lacerations, ulcerations, holes in the digestive tract, or even death.
It is unknown how large the wood fragments are in the Dinty Moore Beef Stew.
Wood can contaminate food products in various ways.
In some cases, the use of wooden pallets during transportation and storage can lead to contamination, as can the use of wooden tools or equipment in food processing.
So far, there have been no confirmed reports of harm from consuming this product.
Meanwhile, Hormel Foods emphasizes that no other products of its brands have been affected.
Anyone who is concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.
Commenting on the matter, a Hormel Foods spokesperson told DailyMail.com: “As a Fortune 500 global food company, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards for our products.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Hormel Foods is voluntarily recalling 17,080 cases of a single code date 20 oz cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, as they may contain foreign wood material.
"No other Dinty Moore products are affected, and no illnesses or injuries have been reported related to this recall." /Express newspaper/
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