The Recall Desk
SevereUSDA FSIS·047-2021·Announced 2021-12-14

Margherita Pepperoni Recalled for Possible Bacillus Cereus Contamination

Smithfield Packaged Meats is recalling approximately 10,990 pounds of Margherita pepperoni due to possible Bacillus cereus contamination. No illnesses have been reported.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly classifies the recall as 'High - Class I' and 'Class I'. According to the rubric, if the agency's own classification is USDA Class I, the score must be at least 4 (Severe).

Plain-English summary

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., doing business as Margherita Meats, Inc., is recalling approximately 10,990 pounds of ready-to-eat unsliced pepperoni products. The recall was initiated because the products may be adulterated with Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), a toxin-producing microorganism that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. The specific product subject to the recall is 8-oz. plastic shrink-wrapped packages of “Margherita PEPPERONI” with lot code P1931C and a “use by date” of 12-14-21. These items bear establishment number “EST. 19” inside the USDA mark of inspection and were produced and packaged on June 17, 2021.

The issue was identified when the Department of Defense notified the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) that B. cereus was found during routine product testing. The products were shipped to retail locations nationwide. FSIS has not received any confirmed reports of adverse reactions or illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. The recalled pepperoni should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Individuals concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. For more information, consumers can call the Margherita Consumer Affairs Hotline at (844) 342-2596 or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854.

The recalled product

Product
Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. Dba Margherita Meats Inc. Recalls Pepperoni Products Due to Possible Bacillus Cereus Contamination
Category
Food — Ready-to-Eat Meat
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · bacillus cereus

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