USDA Recalls 30,000 Pounds of Argentine Beef in Texas & Florida | Frigorifico Gorina Raw Beef Recall

Shadows on the Butcher Block: Federal Officials Order Major Argentine Beef Recall Across Texas and Florida

Across the sun-drenched butcher counters of Texas and the humid commercial kitchens of Florida, an unsettling silence has settled over the meat case.

Image courtesy of Ailisa

Federal health authorities issued a sweeping Class I warning—the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most urgent level of public health alert—pulling nearly 30,000 pounds of raw imported beef from commercial distribution channels. The emergency action impacts heavy cardboard cartons packed with boneless cuts produced in mid-May by South American processor Frigorifico Gorina SAIC and distributed by Florida-based importer Corte Argentino USA.

The culprit wasn’t a positive laboratory test for E. coli or Salmonella, but a critical breakdown in the federal safety net. Nearly 15 tons of imported prime beef slipped past border entry check stations into wholesale markets and restaurant kitchens without undergoing mandatory federal reinspection—triggering the automatic maximum-risk federal recall.

Paperwork Phantom: How 15 Tons Skipped the Border Gate

Behind every slab of imported beef lies a strict regimen of physical oversight. When massive cargo containers land at U.S. ports from South America, the meat must clear an additional checkpoint by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Inspectors open sealed boxes, check temperature logs, verify origin certificates, and ensure labeling complies with domestic safety standards before a single cut is cleared for wholesale trade.

In this instance, a breakdown between port arrival and inland storage allowed the shipment to slip directly into commercial channels. A third-party logistics facility failed to present the shipment for federal reinspection. By the time routine FSIS audits uncovered the administrative lapse, wholesale distributors had already trucked thousands of vacuum-sealed packages into Texas and Florida supply chains.

While Argentine health officials had certified the beef clean prior to export, U.S. policy dictates that uninspected entry automatically triggers a Class I designation—the same classification reserved for deadly biological contamination—because the wholesomeness of the unverified meat cannot be legally guaranteed.

From La Plata to Gulf Coast Kitchens

The affected meat arrived from the sprawling processing facilities of Frigorífico Gorina, a major beef producer based in La Plata, Argentina. Vacuum-packed in heavy industrial packaging, the cut selection represents standard cuts bound for both retail markets and high-end restaurant kitchens:

• Top Sirloin Butt (Cuadril Sin Tapa)
• Eye Round (Peceto)
• Topside Cap Off (Nalga AD S/Tapa)
• Flat (Carnaza Cuadrada)

Bearing establishment mark “EST. N° OF. 2025” and shipping code “26644-AA,” the raw beef packages carry use-by or freeze-by dates ranging from September 15 to September 20, 2026.

Because much of this inventory went to commercial caterers, steak houses, and regional hotel kitchens, food safety officials warn that substantial volumes may still sit frozen in walk-in freezers across the Sunbelt.

Freezers on Lockdown: What Consumers & Chefs Must Do

While no adverse reactions or foodborne illnesses have been linked to this batch, federal inspectors stress that consumers, restaurant managers, and retail grocers should audit their freezer inventories immediately.

• Inspect the Label: Look for establishment number EST. N° OF. 2025 and shipping mark 26644-AA on shipping boxes or wholesale vacuum-sealed wraps.
• Do Not Serve or Consume: Even if the beef looks, smells, and feels pristine, uninspected raw meat should not be cooked or served.
• Return or Discard: Commercial kitchens and retail buyers are instructed to return the product to their distributor for credit or dispose of it safely.

For further news coverage on this recall, see this video from CBS Austin detailing the USDA alert.

This video breaks down the specific facts of the USDA alert, highlighting why the government issued a high-risk Class I health warning for uninspected imported meat products.