Here's the list of 16 products with multiple varieties under three brand names that health officials are cautioning about.
More Than 18,000 Pounds of Meat Have Just Been Recalled
Published on Apr. 30, 2025
The arrival of May means firing up the grill is fair game. But before you gather your crew on the patio, you’ll want to note a recall of more than a dozen meat products.
Upstate New York-based meat distributor Smith Packing, LLC, which sells steaks, franks, bacon, and more, is recalling an estimated 18,792 pounds of meat products after reportedly being alerted by consumers that items “were off-taste and off-color.”
The FSIS’s report states the products are under recall due to “sodium nitrate levels that exceed the regulatory limit.” Beef and chicken sausages, salami, and bologna are among the recalled products.
Though they can be naturally occurring, sodium nitrates are chemicals that are often added to foods like meats and cheeses to preserve or enhance the color of products. The Cleveland Clinic notes that they’re safe to consume in moderation, but eating foods with large amounts of these additives has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
The FSIS does not state the sodium nitrate levels found in the Smith Packing-produced meats. However, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease (ATSDR) does not allow foods in the United States to contain more than 500 parts per million of sodium nitrate.
All items were distributed to institutional and retail locations in New York, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). While Smith Packing produced and shipped the recalled meats, the products may be sold under other brand names, including As-Salaam, Honest John, and Beefland USA.
The FSIS reports that the recalled meat products were produced between February 19 and April 24. Packages bear the establishment number “EST. 4578” or “P-4578” inside the USDA mark of inspection and feature a sell-by date in 2026.
The FSIS also shared the following details—listed by Brand Name and Product, Package, Size, Use-By Date:
- As-Salaam Beef Breakfast Sausage, Box, 40 Pounds, 03/10/2026-4/28/2026
- As-Salaam Beef Frank 8/1 Halal, Pouch, 1 Pound, 03/19/2026-4/28/2026
- Smith Packing Beef Knockwurst, Pouch, 5 Pounds, 02/25/2026-4/28/2026
- As-Salaam 5/1 Beef Smoked Sausage, Pouch, 6 Pounds, 03/25/2026-4/28/2026
- Honest John Bratwurst 5/1, Pouch, 1.5 Pounds, 03/31/2026-4/28/2026
- Honest John Breakfast Sausage/Brown and Serve, Pouch, 1 Pound, 03/05/2026-4/28/2026
- Smith Packing Export Beef Franks 6/1, Box, 10 Pounds, 02/24/2026-4/28/2026
- Smith Packing Export Bologna, Box, 12 Pounds, 04/10/2026-4/28/2026
- Smith Packing Export Salami, Box, 12 Pounds, 03/06/2026-4/28/2026
- Honest John HJ Jumbo Franks 8/1, Pouch, Various, 05/10/2025-6/12/2025
- Honest John HJ Polish Sausage, Pouch, 1 Pound, 03/24/2026-4/28/2026
- As-Salaam Hot Roasted Chicken Sausage Garlic 5/1, Pouch, 1 Pound, 04/02/2026-4/28/2026
- As-Salaam Roasted Chicken Sausage Garlic 5/1, Pouch, 1 Pound, 04/09/2026-4/28/2026
- Smith Packing NYS Beef Bologna, Pouch, 1 Pound, 03/18/2026-4/28/2026
- Beefland USA Regular Beef Sausage 5/1, Pouch, 1 Pound, 02/19/2026-4/28/2026
- Honest John Retail HJ Polish, Pouch, 1 Pound, 03/03/2026-4/28/2026
The recall has been categorized as a Class I risk, meaning there is a “reasonable probability of serious, adverse health problem or death.” According to the FSIS announcement, there have not been any reports of adverse reactions from consumers.
The FSIS report warns customers not to consume any of the recalled products and advises throwing the items out or returning them to the place of purchase for a possible refund. The agency recommends that consumers concerned about their health contact their doctor.
If you have any questions about this recall, refer to the contact details in the FSIS link above.
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