Bits of plastic in Lean Cuisine meals bring recall

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDMar 15 2011

Lean cuisine Spaghetti With Meatball has been recalled in the U.S. after bits of red plastic have reportedly been found in a few of the ready-made meals.

The recall notice was issued Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and affects about 10,260 pounds of frozen spaghetti and meatballs. Food maker Nestle, in its statement, says the affected packages were produced in October. The health risk associated with this recall is low, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service explained. If the product is consumed, there is only a remote probability of adverse health consequences.

Nestle Prepared Foods received complaints from consumers in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, that consumers had found hard plastic in the frozen meals, the FSIS said. The products were sold east of the Rocky Mountains in 9.5 ounce units entitled “Lean Cuisine Simple Favorites, Spaghetti with Meatballs” and have the establishment number “EST 7991.” They all have a November 2011 expiry date on the side of the package.

“We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience created by this voluntary product recall,” Nestlé said in a statement.