Star Meat Delivery Inc., based in Lucama, North Carolina, has recalled 167,639 pounds of raw beef, pork, and goat products that were produced without federal inspection. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the nationwide recall on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, after discovering the products were labeled with a false USDA mark of inspection. The agency has classified the recall as Class I, its highest risk level, indicating a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death.
The USDA reported that the meat products were produced on various dates prior to September 22, 2026. These items were vacuum-sealed and shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor in Georgia, before being sent to restaurants and retailers across the country. The issue was identified during a routine food safety inspection when officials found the products bore the establishment number "EST. 1363," a mark that does not have a federal grant of inspection.
Star Meat Delivery Inc. stated that the meat was sourced from a USDA-inspected supplier and that the recall involves products processed while the company was still awaiting federal approval for additional cutting and packaging services. The company said no other products it sells were mislabeled. Affected products include sliced ribeye, beef chuck, oxtail, beef short ribs, ground pork, pork chorizo, pork chops, pork ribs, and goat meat. As of September 25, 2026, no illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection with the meat.
Individuals who possess these products will notice that the meat is considered misbranded and potentially contaminated with harmful bacteria or undeclared allergens due to the lack of federal oversight during processing. A person who consumed these products and experiences symptoms would need to seek medical care, which the USDA advises for anyone with health concerns. The USDA classified this as a high-risk situation, though the specific types of bacteria or contaminants present, if any, have not been confirmed by laboratory testing.
The event follows other recent food safety actions, including recalls for frozen blueberries, deli meats, and broccoli sprouts linked to E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. Food safety experts cited by PBS News noted that while these incidents raise public concern, they also indicate that federal surveillance systems are functioning. However, some researchers expressed concern that recent budget cuts and changes to the CDC's FoodNet surveillance program—which now makes monitoring certain pathogens optional for states—could affect the speed of future outbreak responses. The USDA has instructed consumers and businesses to either throw the meat away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.