Quick Answer
As of October 8, 2023, there are no active recalls for El Monterey burritos. However, there have been a few past recalls of El Monterey products, including burritos, for various safety issues like misbranding and undeclared allergens. All current El Monterey burritos on the market should be safe to consume if used by the best by date. Consumers concerned about a potential issue with a specific product should check the manufacturer and FDA websites for any recalls.
Overview of El Monterey Burritos
El Monterey burritos are a line of frozen microwaveable burritos produced by Ruiz Foods located in Dinuba, California. The burritos come in a variety of flavors including bean and cheese, shredded beef, shredded chicken, chili cheese chicken, and more. They are sold in most major grocery store chains in the refrigerated or frozen food sections. Some of the key details about El Monterey burritos include:
- Owned by Ruiz Foods, one of the largest producers of frozen Mexican food in the U.S.
- Made with ingredients like beans, rice, cheese, beef, chicken, vegetables, and signature sauces.
- Sold packaged individually or in multi-packs.
- Microwaveable in 2-3 minutes for a quick meal.
- Offered in 8 main flavors with some additional regional flavors.
- Cost is around $1-$3 per burrito depending on retailer.
- Sold at major stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and more.
El Monterey burritos provide a fast option for an easy Mexican-inspired meal at home. They are pre-made so all you have to do is heat them up in the microwave for a ready-to-eat burrito.
Past Recalls of El Monterey Products
While there are no current recalls for El Monterey burritos specifically, the brand has been affected by a few recalls in recent years:
January 2022 – Undeclared Allergens
In January 2022, Ruiz Foods issued a recall for around 55,000 pounds of frozen meat and poultry breakfast burritos due to an undeclared allergen. The products contained eggs and milk, known allergens, that were not listed on the product labels. This recall included some El Monterey branded burritos sold at Walmart.
October 2021 – Possible Plastic Contamination
Ruiz Foods recalled around 246,000 pounds of frozen breakfast burritos in October 2021 out of concerns they may have been contaminated with pieces of plastic. The recall included El Monterey and other branded burritos containing sausage, eggs, and cheese.
September 2019 – Undeclared Allergens
Over 246,000 pounds of El Monterey frozen breakfast wraps were recalled in September 2019 for containing egg and wheat not listed on the labels. People with allergies to those ingredients were warned not to consume the products.
August 2018 – Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
In August 2018, over 246,000 pounds of El Monterey egg, potato, bacon and cheese smoked sausage breakfast wraps were recalled due to misbranding and egg allergen concerns. The products actually contained a meat and poultry breakfast wrap but were labeled as an egg breakfast wrap.
So while current El Monterey burritos have no active recalls, the brand has had to pull products in the past due to labeling issues or contamination risks. Proper allergen labeling and manufacturing procedures are important in the food industry to ensure consumer safety.
Checking for Recalls on El Monterey Burritos
If you have purchased El Monterey burritos and want to check if there are any recalls on the specific product you have, there are a couple places you can look:
FDA Recalls Website
The main recall database is maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). You can search their database at:
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
This will let you look up any food manufacturer or brand to see official recall notices. Look under the manufacturer “Ruiz Foods” to find any El Monterey recalls.
Ruiz Foods Website
As the manufacturer of El Monterey products, Ruiz Foods also lists any of their recalls and press releases on their company website:
https://www.elmonterey.com/recalls
This is a good place to check directly with the brand to see if there are any active recalls on El Monterey items.
Store Where Product Was Purchased
You can also check with the retailer where you specifically purchased an El Monterey product to ask if they are aware of any recalls or issues. Most major grocery stores will be informed if a product they carry gets recalled.
Contact Consumer Hotlines
For questions or concerns about a potential recall, you can contact the Ruiz Foods consumer hotline at 1-800-611-6885 or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854.
Key Takeaways on El Monterey Burrito Recalls
To summarize the key facts on whether El Monterey burritos have been recalled:
- There are currently no active recalls for El Monterey burritos as of October 2023.
- The manufacturer Ruiz Foods has issued a few past recalls of El Monterey frozen breakfast wraps and burritos.
- Recalls were mainly for issues like undeclared allergens, misbranding, or possible contamination.
- Consumers can check the FDA, Ruiz Foods, or retailer websites for the latest recall information.
- Any El Monterey burritos within the best by date and not part of a recall should be safe to eat.
Checking for any recall notices can provide peace of mind that your El Monterey burrito is not impacted by any safety issues. Properly following cooking instructions and checking expiration dates is also recommended when enjoying any frozen food product.
Nutrition Information on El Monterey Burritos
In addition to checking for any recalls, consumers may also be interested in the nutrition information for El Monterey burritos:
| Burrito Flavor | Calories | Total Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bean & Cheese | 300 | 9g | 42g | 12g |
| Shredded Beef | 320 | 13g | 36g | 16g |
| Shredded Chicken | 280 | 9g | 37g | 18g |
As you can see from the table, most El Monterey burritos range from around 280 to 320 calories per burrito. They also offer a good amount of protein and fiber. Overall, they can fit into a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. Just be mindful of your total fat, carb, and sodium intake if you are following a specific nutritional program.
Food Safety Tips for Frozen Burritos
To enjoy El Monterey burritos safely, be sure to follow these food safety recommendations:
- Check the best by or use by date before cooking.
- Store frozen burritos at 0°F or below.
- Do not refreeze burritos after they have been thawed.
- Cook frozen burritos to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Heat burritos thoroughly until steaming hot before eating.
- Do not microwave burritos in the foil wrapper.
- Wash hands and surfaces after handling raw burritos.
- Do not leave cooked burritos out at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Following proper freezing, thawing, cooking, and handling procedures reduces your risk of any foodborne illnesses from consuming frozen burritos. Taking these safety steps can provide you with peace of mind that your El Monterey burrito meal will be safe and enjoyable.
Conclusion
El Monterey burritos provide a convenient option for delicious Mexican-inspired meals that can be quickly heated up in the microwave. While there are no current recalls on El Monterey burritos, Ruiz Foods has issued recalls in the past for issues like labeling concerns or possible contamination. Checking the FDA, manufacturer, and retailer websites can provide updated information on any recalls that consumers should be aware of. Following recommended food safety procedures and enjoying El Monterey burritos in moderation as part of balanced diet are also advised. Being an informed consumer can help you safely enjoy the ease of these microwaveable frozen burritos from El Monterey.