HEB Beef Stew Recalled for Plastic and Metal Contamination
Swift Beef Co. recalls ~4,702 lbs of HEB beef stew meat due to possible plastic and metal contamination. Check your product details.
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possible contamination with foreign matter , specifically plastic and metal
What happened, in plain English
Swift Beef Company is recalling approximately 4,702 pounds of fresh beef stew meat that may be contaminated with foreign matter, specifically plastic and metal. The products were produced on December 13, 2017, and shipped to HEB grocery stores in Texas. Although no adverse reactions have been confirmed, consumers should check their purchases against the identified lot codes. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1275788-heb-beef-stew-recalled-for-plastic-and-metal-contamination.
Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1275788-heb-beef-stew-recalled-for-plastic-and-metal-contamination · Updated October 11, 2026 · Official notice: USDA FSIS #131-2017
Cite this page
“HEB Beef Stew Recalled for Plastic and Metal Contamination.” GovInfoNow, updated October 11, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1275788-heb-beef-stew-recalled-for-plastic-and-metal-contamination. Based on USDA FSIS recall #131-2017 (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/swift-beef-company-recalls-beef-stew-products-due-possible-foreign-matter).
Why it’s dangerous
The presence of plastic and metal fragments in food poses a physical hazard that can cause choking, dental damage, or internal injury if swallowed. While no illnesses have been reported yet, the potential for serious harm exists if the contaminated items are eaten.
Who’s affected
Consumers who purchased fresh beef stew meat from HEB grocery stores in Texas between December 13 and late December 2017. The risk applies to anyone who consumes the product without inspecting it for foreign objects.
How to tell if you have this one
Look for fresh beef stew meat sold under the HEB brand, including varieties labeled as Beef Stew Meat Tenderized RP, Beef Stew Meat RP, Beef Stew Meat VP, Beef Stew Meat-CR VP, Beef Stew Meat Tenderized VP, Beef Stew Meat CP, and Beef Stew Kit. Check for establishment number EST. 3D next to the USDA mark of inspection or Est. 7231 on the side of the tray. For bulk cryovac bags, check for case code 69404.
- Brand
JBS USA / HEB- Category
Meat & poultry
What to do — step by step
Stop consuming the product
Do not eat any beef stew meat that matches the description above, as it may contain plastic or metal fragments.
Discard or return the item
The record states HEB pulled products from shelves and locked sales; consumers should dispose of the product or contact the retailer for a refund if they have it.
Contact customer service
For questions about this recall, contact Cameron Bruett at (970) 506-7801.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed in Texas.
USDA FSIS distribution: “Texas”
States: Texas.
Recall timeline
FSIS closed this recall in 2018.
- USDA FSIS announced the recall
- FSIS closed the recall
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Questions people ask
Has anyone gotten sick from this product?
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products as of the recall announcement.
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Where this comes from
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official USDA FSIS recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
- Official source: USDA FSIS Recall #131-2017 (December 26, 2017)
- Plain-language summary written by qwen3.6:35b-a3b on October 11, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the USDA FSIS notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
- GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official USDA FSIS recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.