The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced that it has launched a recall of ground beef sold at Kroger grocery stores.

The recall of the beef produced by JBS USA, Inc. from North Carolina involves more than 35,000 pounds of raw ground beef that could be contaminated with hard plastic. That is more than 17 tons of meat only sent to distribution centers in Virginia and Indiana then shipped to stores.

Meat sold in stores in the Atlanta Division are not affected by the recall, according to company officials. That includes Georgia, South Carolina and Eastern Alabama.

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It was produced on March 22 and include:

  • 3-lb. tray packages containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF 73% LEAN - 27% FAT" with product code 95051, UPC: 011110975645, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN - 20% FAT" with product code 95052, UPC: 011110969729, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 3-lb. tray packages containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF 80% LEAN – 20% FAT" with product code 95053, UPC of 011110969705, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "PRIVATE SELECTION ANGUS BEEF 80% LEAN - 20% FAT GROUND CHUCK" with product code 95054, UPC: 011110971395, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF 85% LEAN – 15% FAT" with product code 95055, UPC: 011110969682, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "Kroger GROUND SIRLOIN 90% LEAN – 10% FAT GROUND BEEF" and product code 95056, UPC: 011110975638, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "ALL NATURAL LAURA'S LEAN BEEF 92% LEAN 8% FAT GROUND BEEF" with product code 95057, UPC: 612669316714, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "ALL NATURAL LAURA'S LEAN BEEF 96% LEAN 4% FAT GROUND BEEF" with product code 95058, UPC: 612669317063, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "PRIVATE SELECTION ANGUS BEEF 90% LEAN – 10% FAT GROUND SIRLOIN" with product code 95063, UPC: 011110969637 and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing "Kroger GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN – 7% FAT" with product code 95064, UPC: 01111096920, and a Sell By date of 4/9/2018.
  • 15-lb. cases containing "JBS Ground Beef Angus Chuck 80% Lean 20% Fat Service Case" with Case UPC: 0040404800632 and a "Sell By: 9.APRIL."
  • 15-lb. cases containing "Ground Beef Angus Sirloin 90% Lean 10% Fat Service Case" Case UPC: 0040404800634, and a "Sell By: 9.APRIL."

Recalled products all have the establishment number "EST. 34176" in the USDA inspection mark. The recall came after a consumer found the plastic in the beef. No one has become sick or was hurt after eating the recalled beef.

Consumers are being directed to throw away the recalled beef or return it to the store where purchased.

If consumers have questions, they are being directed to call JBS at 970-506-7717.

Consumers are also being directed to call Krogers at 1-800-Krogers or visit their local customer care desk for more information to see if their local stores are part of the recall, according to a company spokesperson.