February 25, 2019
Photo courtesy/U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
The recalled product.
This story has been updated to include a statement from a Boston Market spokesperson on February 27.
Over 173,000 pounds of frozen pork entrée products are being recalled from U.S. retailers following consumers complaints of finding pieces of glass or plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Saturday.
The potentially glass- and plastic-ridden pork was produced by Bellisio Foods in Jackson, Ohio. The affected products are thought to have been produced between Dec. 7, 2018 and Feb. 15, 2019, and may be contaminated with extraneous materials — specifically, pieces of glass or hard plastic, the recall warns.
According to CBS News, Bellisio Foods makes about 400 frozen food products marketed under its Michelina's and Eat! brands, as well as "under licensed" brands including Boston Market, Chili's and Atkins.
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There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions or injuries due to consuming the products, according to the government agency.
The recalled 14-ounce Boston Market meals labeled “Home Style Meals Boneless pork rib shaped patty with BBQ sauce and mashed potatoes” microwave dinners have "best-by" dates ranging from December this year to mid-February 2020, according to the FSIS. Additionally, the recalled meals have the USDA establishment number "EST. 18297" printed on the packaging.
The FSIS warns the product may be in consumers' freezers, but should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, the agency added.
Consumers should look for the following information — including dates and lot codes— to determine if they are in possession of the recalled frozen dinners:
• "BEST BY" date of 12/07/2019 with the lot code 8341;
• "BEST BY" date of 01/04/2020 with the lot code 9004;
• "BEST BY" date of 01/24/2020 with the lot code 9024; or
• "BEST BY" date of 02/15/2020 with the lot code 9046.
Philly Voice received a statement from a Boston Market spokesperson:
"Following the recall, Boston Market confirmed with the manufacturer, Bellisio Foods, that it was undertaking all necessary steps to promptly recall the frozen entrée product. It is Boston Market’s understanding that there have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness with respect to this frozen entree product. Consumers who have purchased this frozen entrée product should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. The recall does not involve any products that are sold in Boston Market restaurants."
