Unusual Recall Affects More Than 167,000 Pounds of Meat

We should all take a closer look at any raw meat tucked away in the fridge or freezer. More than 167,000 pounds of beef, pork, and goat products are included in a nationwide meat recall after federal officials discovered they were produced without federal inspection.

And there's another unfortunate detail. The recalled products were labeled with a USDA inspection mark containing an establishment number that isn't federally approved.

What Meat Is Being Recalled?

North Carolina-based Star Meat Delivery Inc. is recalling 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef, and goat products. The meat was produced on various dates before September 22, 2026, and distributed in bulk under the A&D Foods label.

According to the USDA recall notice, the products were shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor in Georgia, before being distributed to restaurants and retailers.

The Star Meat Delivery recall includes many differnt cuts of meat, so this isn't one of those recalls where we can simply look for a single package. The USDA has published product labels and a full list of the affected items as part of its recall.

Look for The Establishment Number

One number is particularly important in this USDA meat recall. The affected products bear a USDA mark of inspection with establishment number EST. 1363.

The problem is that EST. 1363 doesn't have a federal grant of inspection. The USDA says products carrying that establishment number should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat.

Checking the original packaging may not always be possible, either. The meat was vacuum-sealed and packed into cardboard boxes for shipment, but stores may have added their own pricing and safe-handling labels to individual packages before selling them.

Why Does Federal Inspection Matter?

The recall isn't tied to one specific bacteria or contaminant. Instead, the concern is that the meat was produced without the required federal inspection.

Federal inspectors help make sure meat sold across state lines is:

• Safe to eat

• Properly labeled

• Produced according to food-safety standards

When that inspection doesn't happen, the USDA warns us that the food could contain harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens, or other contaminants. That uncertainty is why this raw meat recall is being treated seriously, even though officials haven't identified a particular contaminant behind it.

This Is a Class I Recall

The USDA has classified the recall as Class I, its highest health-risk category.

A Class I designation is used when there's a reasonable probability that consuming or being exposed to a product could cause serious health risks or death.

Fortunately, there were no confirmed reports of injury or illness connected with the recalled meat when the USDA announced the recall. Still, this isn't meat we want to take any chances with.

What Should We Do With the Meat?

The USDA is concerned that some of the affected products may still be sitting in refrigerators and freezers at homes, restaurants, or stores.

If you find the recalled meat, don't eat it. The USDA tells us to throw it away or return it where we bought it. 

Restaurants and retailers shouldn’t sell or serve the affected products. Because the A&D Foods recall covers many different products distributed around the country, checking the USDA's full product list and available label images is the easiest way to get a closer look at what's included.

And, if you’re concerned about an illness or injury after eating one of the recalled products, contact your doctor right away.

Know What’s in Your Freezer

With more than 167,000 pounds of meat involved, this is one recall worth checking before we pull anything out of the freezer for dinner.

An unusual recall like this means we’re not looking for an expiration date or a particular contaminant. Still, EST. 1363 is the number to remember if the original label is still attached. A couple of minutes checking the package now could save us from putting the wrong thing on the dinner table later.

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