Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore-based food manufacturer, is recalling approximately 7,485 pounds of raw Italian pork sausage products after it was discovered they were produced without the required federal inspection.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall yesterday, urging consumers and businesses to take immediate action.
The affected products, which were produced between October 3, 2024, and December 19, 2024, include:
- 10-lb. white cardboard box cases containing a plastic bag of “Old World Italian Sausage” marked with “rope” handwritten on the case.
- 10-lb. white cardboard box cases containing a plastic bag of “Old World Italian Sausage” marked with “link” handwritten on the case.
These products bear the establishment number “EST. 10827” inside the USDA mark of inspection but were produced at a facility that did not have the proper federal inspection status at the time of production.
The raw sausages were shipped to restaurants and retail locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Some of the products may have also been sold directly at retail deli counters without proper labeling or identification, heightening the risk of unintentional sale or consumption.
The issue was uncovered during routine FSIS surveillance activities after FSIS received notification that the items might have been produced at a facility with a suspended inspection status.
Further investigation confirmed that these sausages were not inspected by FSIS, making them unfit for distribution and consumption.
As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions associated with the consumption of the affected sausages. However, consumers who are concerned about potential health risks should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is urging restaurants and retailers to immediately remove the recalled products from their shelves and stop serving them to customers. Consumers who have purchased these items are advised to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
The USDA routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to ensure that recalling firms properly notify their customers and that the products are no longer available to consumers.
As announced by the agency, retail distribution lists for the recalled items will be posted on the FSIS website once available.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Jerry Vitale, VP/Owner of Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., at 443-695-5750 or via email at [email protected].
For food safety inquiries, consumers can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send an email to [email protected]. To report problems with meat, poultry, or egg products, consumers can use the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System on the FSIS website.
FSIS continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary to ensure the safety of consumers.