Peoria company recalls uninspected food product

[July 19, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD - Raber’s Packing Company of Peoria is recalling 21 pounds of its beef jerky because the product was uninspected.  Under state and federal regulations, meat products produced without the benefit of inspection are considered unfit for human consumption and are required to be recalled. 

The product subject to the recall was sold in 25 oz. bags labeled “Grand Champion Raber’s Original Beef Jerky.”  The packaging bears the establishment number “9” inside the Illinois mark of inspection and a code of “192.” The beef jerky was produced July 2, 2014, and then distributed for retail sale in Peoria.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) discovered the potential health hazard during a routine inspection.  Its meat and poultry inspector determined the product was not produced using a mandatory HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) plan, a systematic, preventive approach to food safety that seeks to eliminate risks from biological, chemical and physical hazards in production processes. 

Neither the IDOA nor the company has received any reports of illness due to consumption of the recalled product.  Anyone concerned they may have contracted a food-borne illness should contact their health care provider.

IDOA routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that recalled product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers and reporters who have questions about the recall can contact the plant’s representative, Henry Courdt, at [phone].

[Text received; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE]