In a concerning development for consumers, Smith Packing LLC has issued a recall of nearly 19,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to alarmingly high sodium nitrite levels.
See the tweet below!
If you think this couldn’t affect your family, think again. The excessive levels pose potential health hazards, and despite the lack of reported adverse reactions, some products could still be lurking in your fridge.
Smith Packing LLC of New York initiated this significant recall following consumer complaints about products having an unusual taste and color.
This lapse in quality control highlights ongoing issues within the food industry that require vigilance from both consumers and regulators.
Sodium nitrite, typically used as a preservative, exceeded federally regulated limits, making the situation particularly notable.
The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received consumer complaints of products that were off-taste and off-color, Fox News reports.
A total of 16 products, packaged under four different brand names—Smith Packing, As-Salaam, Beefland USA, and Honest John’s—have been identified in this recall.
The compromised meats, including various sausages, franks, and sliced meats, were produced between February 19 and April 24, 2025.
They have been distributed to retail locations across New York, carrying establishment numbers 4578 or P-4578 within the USDA mark of inspection.
As these numbers serve as a red flag, they’re crucial for consumers to check meticulously.
If your pantry contains any of these products, return or dispose of them immediately for your safety.
“Nearly 19,000 pounds of sausage and sliced meat are being recalled because they contain more of a salt preservative than is allowed under federal regulations, the USDA announced Tuesday,” MassLive reports.
The recall underscores the ever-present need for robust quality inspections within food production.
Though approximately 90% of the recalled products never hit retail shelves, the risk lies with those that have made it to consumers.
Smith Packing LLC immediately stopped production and alerted the USDA to this oversight. Joe Schaeffer, a representative from Palmer Food Services—which operates Smith Packing—says they’re diligently working to remove and destroy potentially affected products.
Consumers should heed this caution and check their refrigerators and freezers for any suspicious meats.
Although there have been no reports “of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products,” the FSIS “is concerned that some products may be in institutional and consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
High sodium nitrite levels can disrupt oxygen delivery in the body, potentially leading to severe health consequences.
Smith Packing LLC’s failure—caught by consumer vigilance and regulatory necessity—is both corrective and cautionary.
This instance serves as a reminder of the constant need for consumer awareness and industry reform.
Check the full list of recalled products on the USDA’s website for any additional details and stay informed to keep your family safe.
🚨Alert: Smith Packing, LLC Recalls Sausage and Sliced Meat and Poultry Products Due to Sodium Nitrite Levels in Excess of Regulatory Limit https://t.co/1jP3degxck
— USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service (@USDAFoodSafety) April 30, 2025
