If you’re planning on making a bologna sandwich any time soon, you might want to stop and check your meat first: On June 27, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a recall notice for almost 150,000 pounds of lunch meat due to “undeclared” meat content.
Several different kinds of bologna manufactured by the Union, New Jersey, company Gaiser’s European Style Provisions may contain types of meat and chicken not listed on their respective labels. Here’s what to know about the recall:
What’s happened?
The recall comes after the FSIS received a complaint pertaining to the meat content of a Gaiser’s product. After conducting an investigation, the FSIS was able to confirm that seven different kinds of bologna from the brand included some combination of pork, chicken, or beef that was not stated on the product label.
This type of rebrand is described as a “misbranding,” which falls under the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Class III category, or “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”
The recall notice states that, “Although FSIS does not expect any adverse health effects for Class III recalled products and there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.”
What product is getting recalled?
Seven different types of bologna are affected by the recall, totaling 143,416 pounds of lunch meat. All of the products were produced between March 20 and June 20, and include the establishment number “EST. 5385” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
Per the recall notice, the meats were sold to “wholesale and retail locations nationwide,” though specific stores were not listed. However, the notice flags that some products may have been weighed, wrapped, and labeled in retail store locations at the time of purchase.
Below is a list of the products to look out for:
- Vacuum-packed packages of “FAMILY TREE BOLOGNA VEAL” containing undeclared pork.
- Plastic-wrapped packages of “BABUSHKA’S RECIPE CHICKEN BOLOGNA” containing undeclared pork.
- Plastic-wrapped packages of “FANCY BOLOGNA” labeled with pork as an ingredient but containing undeclared beef and chicken.
- Vacuum-packed packages of “GAISERS RUSSIAN BRAND DOKTORSKAYA BOLOGNA” containing undeclared beef.
- Plastic-wrapped packages of “GAISERS BOLOGNA VEAL” containing undeclared chicken and pork.
- Plastic-wrapped packages of “GAISERS TURKEY BOLOGNA” containing undeclared chicken and pork.
- Plastic-wrapped packages of “CHICKEN BOLOGNA KYPOYKA PABA” containing undeclared pork.
The recall notice also includes images of the packaging for all of the affected items.
What should I do if I have a recalled Gaiser’s product?
While Class III recall products are generally not likely to cause adverse health effects, the FSIS urges both consumers and restaurants not to serve the recalled bologna products. Instead, the recall notice says, “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
With any follow-up questions on the recall, consumers can contact Steven Shuchinski, a Gaiser’s manager, at (908) 686-3421 or gaisers@verizon.net.
