Nearly 19,000 Pounds of Deli Meats and Sausages Recalled Over Dangerous Sodium Nitrite Levels

Yahoo

01-05-2025

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall on April 29 for nearly 19,000 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage and sliced meat and poultry products produced by Smith Packing in Utica, New York, due to excessive sodium nitrite levels.
The recall was prompted by consumer complaints about off-tasting and discolored meats produced between February 19 and April 24, 2025.
Although no adverse health reactions have been confirmed, excessive sodium nitrite can cause methemoglobinemia — a condition impairing oxygen transport — which may lead consumers to experience serious health issues.It's time to check your fridge for another recall.
On April 29, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) posted a recall notice for Smith Packing, LLC, based in Utica, N.Y., which is recalling 18,792 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage and sliced meat and poultry products due to their excessive sodium nitrite levels.
As WebMD explained, sodium nitrate is a "yellowish-white, odorless powder" that can be found in small amounts in certain foods, often used to preserve them and enhance flavors. However, in excessive amounts, WebMD added, it can "lower the ability of your red blood cells to move oxygen. Doctors refer to this harmful condition as methemoglobinemia. This can affect your ability to breathe, which can cause you to collapse. Very high levels of sodium nitrite can kill you."
According to the recall notice, the issue was discovered after the company informed FSIS about it following consumer complaints that the product tasted "off" and appeared off-color.
Related: Hospitalizations and Deaths From Contaminated Food Doubled in 2024 — Here's Everything You Need to Know
The company's ready-to-eat sausage and sliced meat and poultry items were produced on various dates, according to the recall, between February 19, 2025, and April 24, 2025. All products have the establishment number 'EST. 4578' or 'P-4578' printed inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recalled items were shipped to institutional and retail locations across New York State. (You can view the recalled product labels here.)
The full product list includes the following:
As-Salaam Beef Breakfast Sausage
As-Salaam Beef Frank Halal
Smith Packing Beef Knockwurst
As-Salaam Beef Smoked Sausage
Honest John Bratwurst
Honest John Breakfast Sausage/ Brown and Serve
Smith Packing Export Bologna
Smith Packing Export Salami
Honest John HJ Jumbo Franks
Honest John Polish Sausage
As-Salaam Hot Roasted Chicken Sausage Garlic
As-Salaam Roasted Chicken Sausage Grilled
Smith Packing NYS Beef Bologna
Beefland USA Regular Beef Sausage
Honest John Retail HJ Polish
The good news is that there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions resulting from the consumption of these products, according to the company and the FSIS. However, if you have consumed one of the products and feel unwell, the FSIS urges you to contact your doctor immediately.In a statement to USA Today, Palmer Foods stated, "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." It added that, " 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."
While many products may be off store shelves, the FSIS noted it's "concerned that some products may be in institutional and consumers' refrigerators or freezers," so it is asking people to also check any backstock. Moreover, if you still have some, the FSIS noted that those "who have purchased these products are urged not to consume or use them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase."
Anyone with a question on this recall can contact Joe Schaeffer, the director of marketing at Palmer Foods, at [e-mail] issuing recall: Smith PackingReason for recall: excessive sodium nitrite levelsBrands affected: As-Salaam Beef Breakfast Sausage, As-Salaam Beef Frank Halal, Smith Packing Beef Knockwurst, As-Salaam Beef Smoked Sausage, Honest John Bratwurst, Honest John Breakfast Sausage Brown and Serve, Smith Packing Export Bologna, Smith Packing Export Salami, Honest John HJ Jumbo Franks, Honest John Polish Sausage, As-Salaam Hot Roasted Chicken Sausage Garlic, As-Salaam Roasted Chicken Sausage Grilled, Smith Packing NYS Beef Bologna, Beefland USA Regular Beef Sausage, Honest John Retail HJ PolishEstablishment numbers: 'EST. 4578' or 'P-4578'Amount of products affected: 18,792 poundsStates affected: New York Brand labels: Concerned consumers should check for images of recalled brands on the FSIS websiteRead the original article on Food & Wine