USDA FSIS Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products
Summary
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ground beef products due to possible foreign material contamination. The alert covers products from a specific establishment and advises consumers on actions to take.
What changed
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert concerning ground beef products that may contain foreign material. The alert specifically names the producing establishment and provides a product description, including lot codes and best-by dates. This action is taken to protect public health and prevent consumers from potential harm.
Consumers who have purchased the affected ground beef products are advised not to consume them and to either discard the product or return it to the place of purchase. The FSIS is working with the subject firm to address the issue, and while this is a public health alert and not a recall, it signifies a serious potential hazard. Companies in the supply chain should be aware of this alert and review their own product sourcing and quality control measures.
What to do next
- Consumers should check for affected ground beef products and follow FSIS guidance on disposal or return.
- Food manufacturers and retailers should review their inventory for products matching the alert description.
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PHA-03232026-01 Public Health Alert Product Contamination
Active Mon, 03/23/2026 - Current District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Material Contamination
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for a ground beef product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.
The ground beef item was produced on Feb 26, 2026. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view labels ]:
- 16oz (1 lb.) PLASTIC, VACUUM-PACKED, packages containing "WHITE OAK PASTURES, RADICALLY TRADITIONAL FARMING, GRASSFED GROUND BEEF". The product bears establishment number "EST 34729" inside the USDA mark of inspection and is stamped on the back with "105761 Sell by 03/19/26". This item was shipped to a distributor, and Mom's Organic Markets retail locations in D.C., Mass., Md., N.J., Pa. and Va.
The problem was discovered by the establishment after receiving two complaints from consumers.
There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a health care provider. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury from consumption of these products.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' freezers. 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.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Mr. Justin Wiley, Processing Operations Manager, White Oak Pastures, at (229) 641-2081 or feedback@whiteoakpastures.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that 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 https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
Product Images
Company Information
White Oak Pastures
Bluffton, GA
Establishment ID
M34729
Processing Category
Raw - Non Intact
Company Contact Information
Company Contact
Processing Operations Manager, White Oak Pastures Mr. Justin Wiley (229) 641-2081 feedback@whiteoakpastures.com
FSIS Contact Information
Media Contact
Congressional and Public Affairs Keith Komosinski FSISpress@usda.gov Last Updated: Mar 23, 2026
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