USDA Recalls 143K Pounds of Popular Lunch Meat
A popular deli meat is being pulled from shelves, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall of 143,416 pounds of Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. products. The recall stems from mislabeling, as the ready-to-eat bologna may contain undeclared meat or poultry ingredients not listed on the packaging.
How to Tell If Your Bologna Is Part of the Recall
The recall was issued after it was discovered that certain bologna products were mislabeled and may not clearly state the inclusion of pork, and in some cases, beef or chicken. The issue came to light following a complaint submitted through the Office of Inspector General’s hotline.
The affected bologna was distributed under various brand names at both retail and wholesale outlets between March 20 and June 20. If you’ve purchased deli meat during this time frame, check your packaging for the following product names:
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Babushka’s Recipe Chicken Bologna
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Gaiser’s Russian Brand Doktorskaya Bologna
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Gaiser’s Turkey Bologna
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Chicken Bologna Kypoyka Paba
All recalled products will feature the establishment number “EST. 5385” inside the USDA inspection mark. You can also refer to product images available on the USDA website for easier identification.
Note: In addition to pre-packaged items, the recalled bologna may also have been sliced, wrapped, and labeled at grocery store deli counters.
What to Do If You Bought the Recalled Bologna
While no illnesses or health issues have been reported so far, the USDA has classified this as a Class III recall, meaning the product is unlikely to cause harm if consumed. Still, caution is strongly advised.
If you’ve purchased any of the recalled bologna products—or bought deli-sliced bologna between March 20 and June 20 without clear labeling—you should avoid eating it. Instead, discard the product or return it to the store where it was purchased.
For additional information or questions about the recall, you can reach out to Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. at 908-686-3421 or via email at gaisers@verizon.net.
Gaiser’s Faced a Similar Recall Nearly a Decade Ago
This isn’t the first time Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. has come under scrutiny for mislabeled products. In October 2016, the company recalled approximately 3,895 pounds of chicken and pork bologna due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The affected products contained nonfat dry milk, an allergen that was not listed on the label, and were also made with meat that had not undergone required federal inspection.
The recall included various bologna items, such as “Gaiser’s Russian Brand Professorskaya Bologna” and “Gaiser’s Chicken Bologna,” packaged in chub form and distributed to retail locations. All recalled items bore the establishment number “EST. 5385” or “P-5385” inside the USDA inspection mark and were produced between October 6 and October 20, 2016.
While no illnesses were reported at the time, the incident prompted a public advisory and urged consumers to discard or return the affected products. The similarities between the 2016 recall and the current one highlight ongoing challenges with labeling compliance and inspection protocols at the company.
Source: AllRecipes
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