Vienna Beef Hot Dogs Are Being Recalled Because They Could Contain Metal

On May 18, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Vienna Beef Ltd. voluntarily recalled more than 2,000 pounds of beef frank links products due to possible contamination with metal.

Produced on May 2, the hot dogs shipped to food service institutions — not grocers — in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The following products are subject to the recall:

• 10-pound cases containing “SKINLESS BEEF FRANKFURTERS 6” 8’s 10#” with case code 013180 and package code 9122 represented on the label
• 10-pound cases containing “SKINLESS BEEF FRANKFURTERS 6” 11’s 10#” with case code 013312 and package code 9122 or 9123 represented on the label
• 10-pound cases containing “SKINLESS BEEF FRANKFURTERS 7” 9’s 10#” with case code 013490 and package code 9122 or 9123 represented on the label

The recall does not affect products sold in grocery stores or through online retailers — only products sold to restaurants. The company says they have identified and notified the locations where the affected hot dogs were delivered.

While the affected products may still be in a food service provider’s refrigerator or freezer, the company says that consumers who purchased hot dogs at a grocery store do not have to worry.

“My biggest concern is the consumer worried that something they bought at Jewel in the freezer is somehow not healthy to eat,” Tom McGlade, vice president of marketing for Chicago-based Vienna Beef told Chicago Eater. “The USDA statement clearly said it was only food service.”

The USDA advises anyone in possession of the affected products to dispose of them.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury related to consumption of the beef frank links. If you believe you have experienced an adverse reaction related to the products, you should seek medical care.

The problem was first detected at a factory on May 10, and the company is not sure what caused the contamination.

Consumers with questions can contact McGlade at 773-435-2204.