Check your freezer before your next cookout.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert on March 23, 2026, for White Oak Pastures Grassfed Ground Beef that may be contaminated with metal. The alert covers product sold at Mom’s Organic Markets locations across five states and Washington, D.C.
No formal recall has been issued — because the product is no longer available for purchase in stores. But FSIS is warning consumers that some packages may still be sitting in home refrigerators and freezers, and the agency is urging anyone who has the product not to eat it.
What’s the Difference Between a Recall and a Public Health Alert?
The distinction matters here.
A food recall is a voluntary action taken by a company to remove a product from commerce that is still available for purchase. A public health alert, on the other hand, is issued when FSIS needs to warn the public about a potential health risk even though a formal recall isn’t warranted — typically because the product is no longer on shelves.
In this case, the White Oak Pastures ground beef has already passed its sell-by date and is no longer being sold. However, because the product could have been frozen by consumers before it spoiled, FSIS is concerned it may still be in homes — which is exactly why this alert was issued.
How to Identify the Affected Product
The alert applies to the following product:
- Product: White Oak Pastures Radically Traditional Farming Grassfed Ground Beef
- Size: 16 oz (1 lb), vacuum-packed plastic package
- Establishment Number: EST 34729 (printed inside the USDA mark of inspection)
- Lot Number / Stamp: 105761
- Sell-By Date: March 19, 2026
Check the back of the package for the establishment number and sell-by date. If your package matches, do not consume it. A photo of the product label is available on the FSIS website for easy identification.
Where Was It Sold?
The affected ground beef was produced on February 26, 2026, and distributed to Mom’s Organic Markets retail locations in the following areas:
- Washington, D.C.
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
If you do not shop at Mom’s Organic Markets or live outside these areas, your product is not affected.
What Triggered the Alert
The issue was discovered after White Oak Pastures received two separate consumer complaints about finding metal pieces in the ground beef. The company reported the complaints to FSIS, which then issued the public health alert.
As of March 23, no confirmed injuries have been reported. However, consuming food contaminated with metal poses a real risk of serious internal injury — cuts to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract — that can occur without immediately obvious symptoms.
What to Do If You Have the Product
If you purchased White Oak Pastures Grassfed Ground Beef matching the description above, do not eat it under any circumstances — including if it has been frozen.
Your options:
- Throw the product away immediately
- Return it to the Mom’s Organic Market where you purchased it for a full refund
If you have questions about the alert, contact White Oak Pastures directly:
- Phone: (229) 641-2081 (ask for Justin Wiley, Processing Operations Manager)
- Email: [email protected]
For broader food safety questions, you can also reach the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 or by email at [email protected].
If you believe you may have been injured after consuming the affected product, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
The Bottom Line
FSIS has issued a public health alert — not a recall — for White Oak Pastures Grassfed Ground Beef sold at Mom’s Organic Markets in D.C., Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The product, which carries a sell-by date of March 19, 2026, may contain metal pieces. No injuries have been confirmed, but FSIS is urging anyone who may have frozen the product to discard it immediately or return it for a refund.
