The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IIIOur severity:ModerateFDA (Food)·F-0127-2018·Announced 2017-11-15

San Gennaro Polenta Recalled for Unapproved Ink on Food Contact Surface

San Gennaro Foods is recalling pre-cooked polenta because date coding ink was printed directly on the food contact surface of the packaging.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class III

Class III is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 2/5 (Moderate).

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class III, which indicates a remote probability of adverse health consequences. The hazard involves unapproved ink on the food contact surface, which is a labeling/packaging defect rather than a high-risk pathogen or structural defect.

Plain-English summary

San Gennaro Foods, Inc. is recalling multiple varieties of Traditional Polenta, including San Gennaro, San Gennaro Canadian, Sun of Italy, Scarpone's, and Italy brands. The affected products are pre-cooked, ready-to-heat-and-serve polenta in various package sizes, including 12/18 oz, 6/18 oz, 12/24 oz, and 12/1 KG formats.

The recall was initiated because date coding ink was printed directly on the food contact surface of the packaging. This allowed the ink to be in direct contact with the product. The ink used is not approved for food use.

The recalled products were distributed in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Canada. Specific lot codes are listed in the official recall notice. Consumers should check their packages for the specific UPCs and date codes provided by the FDA and stop using the product if it matches the recall description.

The recalled product

Product
Traditional Polenta, San Gennaro brand, Pre-cooked Ready to Heat & Serve, 12/18 oz packages, UPC# 7-62676-15000-6 Traditional Polenta, San Gennaro brand, Pre-cooked Ready to Heat & Serve, 6/18oz packages, UPC# 7-62676-15000-6 Traditional Polenta, San Gennaro brand…
Manufacturer
San Gennaro Foods, Inc
Category
Food — Prepared Foods
Hazard

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (20)

  • 12/18oz codes: 010318
  • 010818
  • 012318
  • 012918
  • 021418
  • 022118
  • 030118
  • 030618
  • 031318
  • 040218
  • 040518
  • 040918
  • 041018
  • 041818
  • 042518
  • 051518
  • 052418
  • 061918. 6/18oz codes: 040218
  • 061918. 12/24oz codes: 012518
  • 020718

Distribution

Distributed in 18 states:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 14 recalled by San Gennaro Foods, Inc under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 14 products in this recall →

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