The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IIOur severity:ModerateFDA (Food)·F-1477-2013·Announced 2013-06-12

Smiling Hill Farm Butter Recalled for Elevated Bacteria Counts

Smiling Hill Farm is recalling butter due to elevated standard plate counts and detectable coliform bacteria. The product was distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class II

Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

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 II due to elevated standard plate counts and detectable coliform bacteria, which indicates a reasonable probability of temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, fitting the Moderate severity criteria for low-risk contamination or voluntary precautionary recalls without reported serious injury.

Plain-English summary

Smiling Hill Farm, Inc. dba Silvery Moon Creamery is recalling approximately 9,046 pounds of Smiling Hill Farm brand Butter and unlabeled butter. The affected products are available in 1/2 lb, 5 lb, and 30-40 lb sizes, packaged in plastic snap-lid containers or 5-gallon buckets. The recall was initiated because the product was found to have elevated standard plate counts and detectable coliform bacteria.

The recalled butter was distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. The specific production codes affected include E4-11 through E6-11, A1-12 through E12-12, and F1-12 through F9-12, as well as A1-13 through C1-13. Consumers should check their pantries for these specific codes and product types.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product should stop using it and dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase. The FDA classifies this recall as Class II, indicating that there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to the violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.

The recalled product

Product
Smiling Hill Farm brand Butter, 1/2 lb, 5 lb; Unlabeled: 1/2 lb, 5 lb, 30-40 lb (variable in 5 gallon buckets) Product in plastic snap-lid containers.
Manufacturer
Smiling Hill Farm, Inc. dba Silvery Moon Creamery
Category
Food — Dairy
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)

  • E4-11
  • E5-11
  • E6-11
  • A1-12
  • A2-12
  • A3-12
  • A4-12
  • A5-12
  • A6-12
  • A7-12
  • A8-12
  • A9-12
  • A10-12
  • A11-12
  • A12-12
  • B1-12
  • B2-12
  • B3-12
  • B4-12
  • B5-12

Distribution

Distributed in 3 states:

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