Hash Browns Recalled For Golf Ball Contamination: Lisle Company

LISLE, IL — A Lisle-based company is recalling two brands of frozen hash browns sold at stores including Mariano's for contamination from an unusual source: Golf balls. Made by McCain Foods USA, Inc. and distributed under the Harris Teeter and Roundy’s brands, the hash browns may have been contaminated with "golf ball materials" that were "inadvertently harvested with potatoes used to make this product," the FDA said. The golf ball materials could cause a choking hazard or a "physical injury to the mouth" if eaten.

The affected products are:

• Roundy’s Brand 2 lb. Bag of Frozen Southern Style Hash Browns (UPC 001115055019), distributed at Mariano's, Metro Market and Pick ‘n Save grocery stores in Illinois and Wisconsin.
• Harris Teeter Brand, 2 lb. Bag of Frozen Southern Style Hash Browns (UPC 007203649020). The production code is B170119, which can be found on the back of the packaging. The Harris Teeter products were distributed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia and Maryland.

No injuries have been reported because of the golf ball contamination, according to the FDA.

Anyone who has the affected products should throw them out, McCain Foods said. Customers should call 630-857-4533 with any questions.

"Food safety remains a top priority for McCain Foods USA, Inc. and we have full confidence that all appropriate steps are being taken to protect our consumers," the company said in a recall announcement. "McCain is working cooperatively with the Food & Drug Administration and the respective supermarkets to ensure the affected products are removed from the marketplace."

Headquartered in Lisle, McCain is a "a leading supplier of frozen potato and snack food products" and boasts that "almost anyone who eats French fries will at some point eat a McCain French fry," according to the company's website. Its customers include McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Arby’s and Walmart.

Images via FDA