The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert on March 23, 2026, for certain ground beef products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically pieces of metal, and has urged customers not to consume the contaminated product.
The Product Affected By The Public Health Alert
According to FSIS, the alert applies to 16‑ounce, vacuum‑packed packages of “White Oak Pastures, Radically Traditional Farming, Grassfed Ground Beef.”
The product bears the establishment number “EST 34729” inside the USDA mark of inspection and has the sell‑by date of March 19, 2026, which can be found on the back of the product.
The ground beef was produced on February 26, 2026, and shipped to Mom’s Organic Markets retail locations across several states.
Where The Affected Ground Beef Was Distributed
The affected products were distributed to stores in Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, raising concerns that some packages may still be stored in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
The FSIS said the alert was issued to ensure the public is aware of the potential risk, even though the product is no longer available for purchase in stores.
How Was The Contamination Discovered?
The potential contamination was discovered after the manufacturer received two consumer complaints reporting the presence of metal fragments in the ground beef.
The FSIS stated that there have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness linked to the product at the time of reporting. However, consuming food contaminated with metal could pose a risk of injury, particularly to the mouth or throat.
Because the product is no longer on store shelves, FSIS did not request a formal recall. Instead, the agency issued a public health alert out of concern that some consumers may still have the ground beef at home, in their freezers.
What Should Consumers Do?
The FSIS is advising anyone who has purchased the product not to consume it and to either throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
Consumers who believe they may have been injured after eating the affected ground beef are advised to contact a healthcare provider. If they have any questions related to the affected product, they can also contact Justin Wiley, the Processing Operations Manager for White Oak Pastures, at (229) 641-2081 or via the email address: feedback@whiteoakpastures.com.
The agency said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates if additional information becomes available.
