Beef Tallow Recall 2021: Hotpot Seasonings From China Did Not Undergo Inspection

A company is recalling beef products that were imported from China because they did not go through the required inspection. The products have been shipped to several states in the U.S., including California and New York.

California-based GLG Trading is recalling about 96,810 pounds of Ming Yang Hotpot Seasoning with beef tallow (fat). The said products did not undergo the benefit of import re-inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said. The problem was discovered while conducting verification activities.

According to the recall notice posted by the FSIS, the products were imported from The People's Republic of China, which is considered an "ineligible country for beef." Based on the agency's import library for meat, poultry and egg products, the country is only eligible to import raw Siluriformes, processed chicken and processed duck into the U.S. The countries that are eligible to import raw or processed beef include Australia, Brazil and Mexico.

What's more, all meat and poultry shipments have to be re-inspected by the FSIS at the port-of-entry before they can enter the country, the FSIS explained.

"Every lot of product is given a visual inspection for appearance and condition, and checked for certification and label compliance," the agency explained.

It's only the products that have passed the re-inspection that may enter the country and be considered as domestic products.

As for the current recall, it affects the "slightly spicy," "super spicy" and "medium spicy" varieties of heat-treated "Ming Yang Hotpot Seasoning" with beef tallow, the labels of which can be viewed here. They do not have a Federal mark of inspection and have been shipped to distributors, retailers and even restaurants in Arizona, California, Hawaii, New York and Texas, the FSIS noted.

The USDA classifies the recall as Class I, which means that there is a "reasonable probability" that using the product may result in serious health consequences. The agency also classified the health risk as "High."

To date, there have been no reports of any adverse reactions related to the recall, but anyone who may have purchased an affected product should not consume them and instead throw them away or return them to the place where the item was bought.