Why Healthy Choice's Korean-Style Beef Bowls Are Being Recalled

This may come as a surprise, but the frozen food industry is booming globally. According to Polaris Market Research, the global market valuation of frozen food in 2021 was around $252.19 billion, an amount expected to grow to $389.9 billion by 2030. Busy lives and the convenience of frozen food are certainly reasons, but as Polaris notes, the increase in online retailers and variety of ready-to-eat meals, including a surge in vegan options, are major factors behind the rise in consumption. Another reason for the increased popularity of frozen foods is rising costs. As data company NPD notes, with inflation driving up the price of food, many families are opting for more affordable frozen food options.

There is no shortage of brands in the frozen food aisle, each offering an array of meals. One of those brands is Healthy Choice, known for its Café Steamers and Power Bowls. Recently a recall was issued for its Korean-style beef bowls. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall on September 17, 2022, from Valley International Cold Storage Acquisition, LLC. Per FSIS, the company is recalling "22,061 pounds of frozen beef products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens." The frozen products being recalled were made on July 22, 2022, and are 9.25-ounce cartons of Healthy Choice Power Bowls Korean-style Beef with lot code 5246220320 and a "best if used by" date of April 18, 2023. The issue, according to FSIS, is that "the frozen products are labeled as Korean-Style Beef, but contain a chicken sausage and pepper product, which contains milk."

The Healthy Choice Power Bowls being recalled also have an "establishment number 34622 on the end flap of the carton" and were sent to grocery stores across the United States. As of the date of the recall, FSIS has not received any reports of illness from consumers but advises anyone who has the product in their freezer at home to either discard it or return it to wherever it was purchased. FSIS is working with the producer to pull the product from shelves to make sure no one else purchases it. 

For consumers with inquiries or comments, the Conagra Consumer Care department can be reached at (800) 672-8152.