Frozen entrees recalled after glass shards found in ravioli

While Pittsburgh is full of people who love to cook, not everyone has the time or resources to do so, and not for every meal. Many of us rely on the occasional frozen entrée, which can be quickly popped in the microwave at home or the office. With so many on the market, it’s easy to find a brand that appeals to our individual tastes, and some people even prefer these meals to their own cooking.

Of course, we assume these meals have been properly prepared and are safe to eat. But a recent recall of frozen entrees has given consumers reason to question just what’s lying under that plastic wrap.

Lean Cuisine, one of the top sellers of frozen entrees, has announced a recall of more than 500,000 packages of its mushroom ravioli after three customers discovered glass fragments in their meals. None of the customers reported being injured by the glass, but it’s frightening to think how close they came to being hurt in a most unexpected way.

The packages of Culinary Collection Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli were produced in November and distributed across the country. The recall information includes specific UPC numbers and production codes so consumers can determine whether the packages already in their freezer might be at risk. Those who find they’ve purchased the affected entrees were told to contact Nestle Consumer Services.

This isn’t the first time that Lean Cuisine entrees have raised a red flag; in the years 2008 and 2011 consumers reported finding pieces of plastic that led to nationwide recalls. And this company isn’t alone in recalling its food products. The larger a food company is, the more production facilities and vendors it has, and often the greater potential for something to go wrong. Just as with any other mass-produced item, mistakes can happen quickly and go unnoticed until a consumer finds the problem — sometimes with tragic results.

Consumers who are injured as a result of a production error have every right to seek compensation, but it can be hard to know where to start. Contacting the company directly may not produce any results at all, especially if the problem presents a serious liability. A personal injury attorney with experience in product liability claims can do that legwork for you and help you get the help you as a consumer need and deserve.

Source: USA Today, “Lean Cuisine recall: Glass found in mushroom ravioli,” Kim Painter, Feb. 12, 2013