Taco Bell recalls 2.3m pounds of beef due to “metal shaving” contamination

2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef has been recalled from Taco Bell restaurants and distribution centres in 21 US states after a customer reportedly found a “metal shaving” in a menu item.

According to Taco Bell, 100 percent of the product had been removed and discarded from the affected locations within a week of the customer complaint, and it has apologised for any ‘beef shortages’ that customers may have experienced.

“Nothing is more important than our customers’ safety, and nothing means more to us than their trust,” said Julie Masino, President of North America for Taco Bell Corp. “As soon as we received the first consumer complaint, we immediately acted to remove the product from the affected restaurants and proactively worked with the supplier to inform the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) of our steps to protect our guests.”

Recalled product information

The product in question was allegedly produced by Kenosha Beef and then sent to distribution centres in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia, where it was then sent to restaurants across the country.

The items affected by this recall are cases containing eight 5lb bags of ‘TACO BELL SEASONED BEEF taco and Burrito Filling’ which were produced between 20 September and 4 October. The product was shipped to five distribution centres and restaurants nationwide. The recalled cases bear establishment number EST. 10130, according to the USDA.

The USDA also noted that its Food Safety and Inspection Service is “concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators” and has advised restaurants who have purchased the products to not serve them and discard them.