HEB Beef Stew Products Recalled for Plastic and Metal Contamination

Agency Publication Date: December 26, 2017

Summary

Swift Beef Company (JBS USA Food Company) is recalling approximately 4,702 pounds of beef stew products that may contain pieces of plastic and metal. The recalled items include 5-pound bulk bags and various weight retail trays produced on December 13, 2017, and sold at HEB grocery stores. While no injuries have been reported, consumers should not eat these products and should return them for a refund or throw them away.

Risk

The beef stew meat may be contaminated with foreign matter, specifically plastic and metal fragments. These materials pose a choking hazard or risk of internal injury if consumed.

What You Should Do

Check your refrigerator or freezer for HEB brand beef stew products, including bulk 5-lb bags with case code 69404 or various weight trays marked with establishment number 7231 on the side.
Look for the following specific labels: Beef Stew Meat Tenderized RP, Beef Stew Meat RP, Beef Stew Meat VP, Beef Stew Meat-CR VP, Beef Stew Meat Tenderized VP, Beef Stew Meat CP, or Beef Stew Kit.
Verify the USDA mark of inspection for establishment number 'EST. 3D' or check the side of the tray for 'Est. 7231'.
Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund, throw it away, or contact the manufacturer for further instructions.
If you are concerned about an injury or illness from consuming these products, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
For questions, contact Cameron Bruett, Head of Corporate Affairs, at (970) 506-7801.
Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 for additional food safety information.

Your Remedy Options

You have 2 options:

Option 1: Full Refund

How to: Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund, or contact the manufacturer or supplier for further instructions

Option 2: Dispose of Product

How to: Throw the product away.

Affected Products

Product: Swift Beef Fresh Beef Stew Meat (5-lb. bulk bags)by Swift Beef Company

Item Code:

69404

Establishment #: EST. 3D

Date Ranges: Produced on Dec. 13, 2017

Cases containing six 5-lb. bulk cryovac plastic bags intended for HEB grocery store retailer re-package.

Product: HEB Re-packaged Beef Stew Meat Trays with Vegetables (Various weights)by HEB

Establishment #: Est. 7231

Date Ranges: Produced on Dec. 13, 2017

Trays contain separately wrapped vegetables. Establishment number marked on the side of the tray.

Product: HEB Brand Beef Stew Meat / Kit (Various weights)by HEB

Variants: Beef Stew Meat Tenderized RP, Beef Stew Meat RP, Beef Stew Meat VP, Beef Stew Meat-CR VP, Beef Stew Meat Tenderized VP, Beef Stew Meat CP, Beef Stew Kit

Establishment #: Est. 7231

Date Ranges: Produced on Dec. 13, 2017

Establishment number marked on the side of the tray.

Additional Information

Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Recall ID: 131-2017

Status: Active

Sold By: HEB

Manufactured In: United States

Units Affected: 7,607 pounds

Distributed To: Texas

Classification: Class I

Were You Affected by This Recall?

If you or a family member were harmed by this recalled product, you may have legal rights. Consider consulting a consumer protection attorney to understand your options for compensation.

Find an Attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Go Backs is not a law firm and does not provide legal services.

AI-Enhanced Content: The summary, action steps, and risk assessment on this page were generated by AI from official government recall data to improve readability. This is not legal or medical advice. Always refer to the official agency sources below for authoritative information.

Sources: USDA Notice · Raw API Response

Summary

What You Should Do

Check your refrigerator or freezer for HEB brand beef stew products, including bulk 5-lb bags with case code 69404 or various weight trays marked with establishment number 7231 on the side.

Look for the following specific labels: Beef Stew Meat Tenderized RP, Beef Stew Meat RP, Beef Stew Meat VP, Beef Stew Meat-CR VP, Beef Stew Meat Tenderized VP, Beef Stew Meat CP, or Beef Stew Kit.

Verify the USDA mark of inspection for establishment number 'EST. 3D' or check the side of the tray for 'Est. 7231'.

Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund, throw it away, or contact the manufacturer for further instructions.

If you are concerned about an injury or illness from consuming these products, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

For questions, contact Cameron Bruett, Head of Corporate Affairs, at (970) 506-7801.

Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 for additional food safety information.

Affected Products

Product: Swift Beef Fresh Beef Stew Meat (5-lb. bulk bags)by Swift Beef Company

Item Code:

69404

Establishment #: EST. 3D

Date Ranges: Produced on Dec. 13, 2017

Cases containing six 5-lb. bulk cryovac plastic bags intended for HEB grocery store retailer re-package.

Product: HEB Re-packaged Beef Stew Meat Trays with Vegetables (Various weights)by HEB

Establishment #: Est. 7231

Date Ranges: Produced on Dec. 13, 2017

Trays contain separately wrapped vegetables. Establishment number marked on the side of the tray.

Product: HEB Brand Beef Stew Meat / Kit (Various weights)by HEB

Variants: Beef Stew Meat Tenderized RP, Beef Stew Meat RP, Beef Stew Meat VP, Beef Stew Meat-CR VP, Beef Stew Meat Tenderized VP, Beef Stew Meat CP, Beef Stew Kit

Establishment #: Est. 7231

Date Ranges: Produced on Dec. 13, 2017

Establishment number marked on the side of the tray.