by Aimee Keenan-Greene

Lean Cuisine is recalling a 9.5 ounce frozen Italian meal after red plastic pieces were reported in the meatballs, according to Reuters.

Nestle's Simple Favorites Spaghetti with Meatballs was manufactured in a one-hour period in October of 2010. The meals have a use by date that makes they good through this November.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) says the packages bear the establishment number P-7991 and the case code 0298595519P.

Please call (866) 606-8264 if you believe you have the tainted product in question.

The problem was discovered after the company received complaints from consumers in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.  FSIS has not received any reports of injury.

Lean Cuisine meals were first launched by Stouffer's in the USA in 1981 in response to what they say was the increasing desire of consumers for weight management products.

Obesity is a national problem for adults and children according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Rhode Island Department of Health has some suggestions for what parents can do to help combat childhood obesity:

• Help kids eat smart and move more.
• Look for child care facilities, restaurants, and schools to provide and promote healthy foods and nutritional information.
• Encourage community planners and leaders should support access to fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets, promote land uses that encourage walking, bicycling and support municipal recreational programs.

Additional Resources:
Guide to Healthy Eating
BMI Calculator