Nearly 19K pounds of ready-to-eat meat products recalled over high 'sodium nitrite levels'
The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced the recall of nearly 19,000 pounds of boxed and pouched ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
Smith Packing, LLC—based in Utica, New York—issued a recall due to "sodium nitrite levels that exceed the regulatory limit," according to a April 29 press release. The variety of meat items were produced between February 19 and April 25.
The company informed the agency that they had received feedback that the products "were off taste and off color," the FSIS said.
Which items are affected by the recall?
According to the FSIS, 18,792 pounds of product were affected by the recall. The establishment numbers are P-4578 or EST. 4578.
- As-Salaam Beef Breakfast Sausage
- As-Salaam Beef Frank 8/1 Halal
- Smith Packing Beef Knockwurst
- As-Salaam Beef Smoked Sausage 5/1
- Honest John Bratwurst 5/1
- Honest John Breakfast Sausage/ Brown and Serve
- Smith Packing Export Bologna
- Smith Packing Export Salami
- Honest John HJ Jumbo Franks 8/1
- Honest John Polish Sausage
- As-Salaam Hot Roasted Chicken Sausage Garlic 5/1
- As-Salaam Roasted Chicken Sausage Grilled 5/1
- Smith Packing NYS Beef Bologna
- Beefland USA Regular Beef Sausage 5/1
- Honest John Retail HJ Polish
Where were the products sold?
The products were shipped to institutional and retail locations in New York State, according to Joe Schaeffer, Director of Marketing at Palmer Foods, which runs Smith Packing.
Customers who received the affected products were notified
Paste BN reached out to Palmer Foods and the FSIS. We have not yet heard back from FSIS, but Palmer Foods released the following statement which reads in part:
"Palmer Foods learned April 24 that certain products produced by its vendor, Smith Packing in Utica, were inedible. Smith immediately shut down production, alerted the USDA and determined the products contained an excessive amount of a curing agent."
"In coordination with the USDA, Smith agreed to a recall covering about 18,000 pounds of meat products labeled as Honest John’s, As-Salam and Beefland that may have been affected," the statement continued. " Approximately 90% of that product never left the warehouse, and approximately 34 customers were identified who received potentially inedible meats. Palmer is working with those customers to recover and destroy any potentially affected product."
Don't consume the product, FSIS says
The meat products were distributed to institutions and retailers in New York. FSIS urges consumers to discard or return the items to the store where they were purchased.
There have been no reported medical incidents connected to the recall. However, according to the agency, those concerned should contact a healthcare professional.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for Paste BN. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.