A&D Foods Meat Recall, 167,639 Pounds Pulled Nationwide Over Fake USDA Inspection Marks

Updated September 26, 2026

Star Meat Delivery Inc. is recalling 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef, and goat products distributed under the A&D Foods label after the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found that the meat was produced without federal inspection and carried a false USDA inspection mark.

The recall, announced by FSIS on September 22, 2026, has been classified as a Class I recall, the agency’s highest risk category.

If you recently purchased vacuum-packed A&D Foods meat—including goat, ribeye, oxtail, ground pork, or other raw meat products—it’s important to check your refrigerator or freezer.

What Products Are Included in the A&D Foods Recall?

FSIS says 23 products distributed in bulk under the A&D Foods label are included in the recall. The products were individually vacuum-packed and shipped in various-weight cardboard boxes.

Products identified in the recall include:

• Goat Cut 1-1/2″ — 10 pounds
• Goat Burn Skin On Cut 1-1/2″ — 10 pounds
• Slice Ribeye 4oz — 10 pounds
• Beef Chuck Thin Sliced KBQ 4mm — 20 pounds
• Beef Oxtail Cut — 10 pounds
• Beef Short Ribs SLD 3/8″ Regular — 10 pounds
• Shanks Bone In Cut 1.5 — 10 pounds
• Pork Ground — 10 pounds
• Beef Feet Cut — various weights

The products were produced on various dates before September 22, 2026.

They were shipped to A&D Foods, a distributor based in Duluth, Georgia, for further distribution to retail stores and restaurants nationwide.

One important detail is that some products may have been relabeled by retailers after they reached their destination. That means meat in your freezer may not still display the original A&D Foods label or inspection mark.

FSIS has said the product list and label information may be updated as more information becomes available. Consumers should check the agency’s current recall notice for the complete list before assuming a product is not affected.

Why Are Fake USDA Inspection Marks a Serious Safety Concern?

Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, meat sold commercially for human consumption must undergo federal inspection.

The recalled products reportedly carry the establishment number “EST. 1363” inside a USDA mark of inspection.

According to FSIS, that establishment number does not have a federal grant of inspection. The agency therefore considers the inspection mark false, meaning the meat was not actually inspected by a federal inspector.

FSIS classified the recall as Class I, which is reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that eating the product could cause serious health consequences or death.

Meat produced without federal inspection may contain harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens, or other contaminants that could otherwise be identified through the inspection process.

As of the recall announcement, no confirmed illnesses or injuries had been reported.

FSIS said the issue was discovered through its own surveillance activities rather than following a reported illness or consumer complaint.

Star Meat Delivery Disputes the Recall’s Characterization

Star Meat Delivery, based in Lucama, North Carolina, has disputed FSIS’s characterization of the situation.

In a statement, the company described itself primarily as a meat broker and distributor and said the meat involved was sourced from a USDA-inspected supplier.

The company also denied using false inspection stamps. According to Star Meat Delivery, the establishment number was legitimately reserved for its processing center as part of the USDA application process.

The company stated that it has never operated by sourcing meat from unapproved or unknown sources.

This creates a disagreement over the central issue: FSIS says the inspection mark was false and the meat was produced without federal inspection, while Star Meat Delivery says the meat came from a USDA-inspected supplier and that the establishment number was legitimately reserved during the USDA application process.

Until the matter is resolved, FSIS’s recall guidance remains in effect. Consumers should treat products bearing the “EST. 1363” mark as unsafe to eat.

How to Check If You Have Recalled A&D Foods Meat

If you recently purchased bulk raw meat, take a few minutes to check your refrigerator and freezer.

1. Check for A&D Foods products

Look for vacuum-packed raw pork, beef, or goat products sold under the A&D Foods label, particularly products packaged in bulk cardboard boxes.

2. Look for “EST. 1363”

Check the package for the establishment number “EST. 1363” inside a USDA inspection mark.

3. Don’t rely only on the A&D Foods name

Some products may have been relabeled by retailers with their own pricing or handling stickers.

As a result, the package you purchased may not clearly display the original A&D Foods label or inspection mark.

4. Check the latest FSIS recall information

FSIS has indicated that its product list and label images may be updated as additional information becomes available.

Consumers should therefore check the agency’s current recall notice before determining whether a product is affected.

What Should You Do If You Have Recalled Meat?

If you find meat covered by the recall, FSIS recommends that consumers:

• Do not eat it.
• Throw the product away or return it to the place where it was purchased.
• If you operate a restaurant or retail business, do not sell or serve the product.
• Remove affected products from shelves, freezers, and food-preparation areas.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about an illness or reaction after consuming the product.
• Report food-safety concerns through the USDA’s Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System or by calling the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.

Consumers should not rely on the smell or appearance of the meat to determine whether it is safe.

Can You Take Legal Action If You Became Sick?

As of September 26, 2026, no lawsuit related to this recall had been identified in the source material, and no confirmed illnesses had been reported.

However, if you or a family member became ill after consuming one of the recalled products, you may want to preserve evidence and discuss the situation with a qualified product liability attorney.

Potentially useful records include:

• The original meat packaging
• Product labels
• Receipts
• Purchase records
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Documentation of symptoms
• Records showing missed work or lost income

Product liability laws vary by jurisdiction, so whether a person has a legal claim depends on the specific circumstances and applicable law.

A&D Foods Recall Timeline

Event	Date
Recalled products produced	Various dates before September 22, 2026
FSIS discovers issue through surveillance	Before recall announcement
FSIS announces recall	September 22, 2026
Product list published and subject to updates	September 23–24, 2026
Confirmed illnesses or injuries	None reported as of the source’s latest update

Frequently Asked Questions

What products are affected by the A&D Foods recall?

The recall covers 23 vacuum-packed raw pork, beef, and goat products distributed under the A&D Foods label. Products include items such as ribeye slices, beef oxtail, short ribs, ground pork, and goat cuts.

Is A&D Foods meat safe to eat?

FSIS says products bearing the “EST. 1363” inspection mark should be considered misbranded and unsafe to eat.

If you believe you have an affected product, do not consume it.

Has anyone gotten sick from the recalled meat?

No confirmed reports of illness or injury had been reported as of the recall announcement.

However, FSIS classified the recall as Class I because of the potential health risks associated with meat produced without federal inspection.

Why doesn’t my package say A&D Foods?

Retailers may have placed their own pricing or handling labels over the original packaging. Therefore, a package may not clearly display the A&D Foods name or the original inspection information.

Is Star Meat Delivery disputing the recall?

Yes.

Star Meat Delivery says the meat was sourced from a USDA-inspected supplier and that the establishment number was legitimately reserved through the USDA application process.

FSIS’s recall notice, however, states that the establishment number did not have a federal grant of inspection and that the inspection mark was false.

Can I sue if I became sick?

If you experienced an illness or injury that you believe is connected to the recalled meat, consider speaking with a licensed product liability attorney.

Keep the product packaging, receipts, medical records, and other evidence related to your purchase and illness.

Where to Report a Food Safety Problem

Consumers can report food-safety concerns through the USDA’s Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.

You can also contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.

For the most current information, consumers should check the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recall notice and product list, as the agency may add additional products or label information as its investigation continues.

Sources

The article is based on information from:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service — Star Meat Delivery Inc. recall notice, September 22, 2026
• The Washington Post — report on nearly 170,000 pounds of raw meat recalled over false inspection labels
• CNN — report on more than 167,000 pounds of meat recalled nationwide
• Boston.com / Associated Press — report on the recalled meat and Star Meat Delivery’s statement

Author: Israr Ahmad
Last Updated: September 26, 2026

Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. If you believe you became ill or were injured after consuming a recalled product, consult a healthcare professional and, where appropriate, a qualified attorney.