Taco Bell recalls 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef from restaurants in 21 states
Months after some Taco Bell locations were hit by a tortilla shortage, now some consumers are asking, "Where's the beef?"
The company said in a news release Monday that on Friday it "took immediate action and voluntarily recalled approximately 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef from its restaurants and distribution centers."
The beef was removed and discarded in restaurants in "21 states across the eastern Midwest, northern Southeast and Northeast regions," the company said.
“Nothing is more important than our customers’ safety, and nothing means more to us than their trust,” said Julie Masino, Taco Bell's president of North America, in the release. “As soon as we received the first consumer complaint, we immediately acted to remove the product from the affected restaurants and proactively worked with the supplier to inform the USDA of our steps to protect our guests.”
Yahoo data breach settlement 2019: How to get up to $358 or free credit monitoring
just went to taco bell in niles and they said they were all out of beef chicken and tortillas... pic.twitter.com/IfHX4LLtOW
— taryn ღ (@taryn_kolesar10) October 12, 2019
On Monday, the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced some of Taco Bell's seasoned beef products sent to restaurants nationwide have been recalled because they "may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically metal shavings."
According to the USDA, Columbus, Ohio-based Kenosha Beef International is recalling "an undetermined amount of seasoned beef products," which were produced on various dates from Sept. 20 to Oct. 4.
Sears and Kmart store closures: More stores closing in late 2019 and early 2020. See the list.
The beef is used in tacos and burritos and came in cases containing eight 5-pound plastic bags.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, according to the USDA.
According to Taco Bell, the product was produced at one plant location on only one of the two lines used to make seasoned beef and was sent to distribution centers in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia.
On Saturday, Taco Bell said restaurants in some states were asking customers to try chicken or steak in their burritos after quality concerns pushed it to temporarily stop serving seasoned beef.
The company said it told affected restaurants to stop serving seasoned beef as it replenishes supplies because the beef didn't meet its quality standards.
Hey @tacobell can you guys be real about what’s going on with your beef. I love eating there and the secrecy of what’s going on makes me afraid to ever eat at your restaurant again
— ICUrn (@jeff_serenks) October 14, 2019
Affected locations were in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and elsewhere, though the company did not say Saturday how many stores were no longer serving seasoned beef.
Still stuck on how Taco Bell out of beef😒
— Liyah🖤 (@liyaah_lovve) October 12, 2019
Customers have been complaining on Twitter about not being able to find ground beef. In a statement Saturday, the company apologized for any inconvenience.
I have never seen a 26 year old man have a bigger meltdown because Taco Bell was out of beef😂😂😂
— Mikaila Sharpe (@MikailaSharpe) October 13, 2019
Consumers with questions about the recall can call 1-800-TACOBELL, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
Contributing: Associated Press
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taco Bell seasoned beef recall: 2.3M pounds removed from restaurants