A significant ground beef recall is underway after a customer discovered pieces of hard plastic in a recently purchased package, prompting federal regulators to issue a public health alert. Patriot Provisions LLC, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company, is recalling approximately 42,150 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Key Details of the Food Safety Alert
| Key Fact | Detail |
| Product Recalled | 1-lb. and 2-lb. plastic trays of “Patriot Provisions 85% Lean/15% Fat” Ground Beef. |
| Amount | Approximately 42,150 pounds. |
| Reason for Recall | Potential contamination with blue, hard plastic (extraneous materials). |
| Consumer Action | Do not consume. Throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase. |
Scope of the Ground Beef Recall
The affected ground beef items were produced on July 22, 2025. The recall applies to 1-lb. and 2-lb. plastic-wrapped trays containing “Patriot Provisions 85% Lean/15% Fat Ground Beef” with a “Use By” date of August 14, 2025.
The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 7854” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The FSIS confirmed these items were shipped to retail locations in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Georgia. The agency expressed concern that some consumers may have the product in their refrigerators or freezers.
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers,” the agency stated in a press release issued Thursday. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
Discovery and Investigation
The problem was discovered after Patriot Provisions LLC received a complaint from a consumer who found pieces of blue, hard plastic embedded in a package of their ground beef. The company then notified the FSIS, initiating the formal recall process.
As of Friday, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injuries due to the consumption of these products. However, health officials urge anyone concerned about an injury or illness to contact a healthcare provider immediately. The FSIS is now conducting effectiveness checks to verify that the recalling firm is notifying its customers of the recall and that steps are being taken to ensure the product is no longer available to consumers.
The Dangers of Extraneous Materials
Contamination with extraneous materials defined as any foreign object not intended to be part of the food product—is a serious food safety alert. These materials can pose significant health risks, including physical injury.
“Foreign materials like hard plastic, metal, or glass can cause serious harm, such as choking, or cuts to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract,” said Dr. Benjamin Carter, a professor of food science at Cornell University who was not involved in the recall. “The recall system is a critical public health tool. When a company and the regulatory agency act swiftly, as appears to be the case here, it significantly mitigates the risk of widespread harm.”
Dr. Carter added that such contamination often originates from broken machinery or contaminated raw materials during the production process. The investigation by Patriot Provisions and the FSIS will likely focus on identifying and correcting the breakdown in their processing line.
Company Response and Consumer Guidance
In a statement released Friday morning, Patriot Provisions LLC apologized for the incident and assured the public they are taking the matter seriously. “The safety and quality of our products are our top priorities,” the statement read. “We are working closely with the USDA and have launched a full-scale internal investigation to determine the source of the contamination. We deeply regret any concern this has caused our valued customers.”
The company has provided a consumer hotline for questions, which can be reached at 1-800-555-0182. Consumers with food safety questions can also call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or send a question via email to [email protected]. For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
The FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to ensure that recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, a retail distribution list will be posted on the FSIS website.
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