Following consumer complaints, a Chicago company is recalling ground beef in nine states because of contamination with pieces of plastic.

There is concern that consumers may have unused portions of the recalled hamburger in their refrigerators or freezers because the expiration date is not until Jan. 31, according to a recall notice posted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Amity Packing Company Inc. of Chicago produced the ground beef on Jan. 6 and sold it in vacuum-packed 1-pound packages labeled as “Pre 95% LEAN/5% FAT GROUND BEEF.” It is marked with a “USE/FREEZE BY” date of Jan. 31. Consumers should look for the following identifying information to determine whether they have the recalled hamburger: lot code 0060, case code 11402, and the establishment number EST. 6916.

“The problem was discovered after Pre Brands LLC. received two consumer complaints reporting findings of clear, thin pliable plastic in raw ground beef. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products,” according to the recall notice.

Amity reported distributing the recalled ground beef to retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The FSIS is urging consumers who have purchased the hamburger to not eat it. The meat should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Pre Brands LLC at 844-773-3663.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)