CLASS I Food recall · Reported 14 Dec 2021 · USDA FSIS

Pepperoni Products recalled by Smithfield Packaged Meats

Smithfield Packaged Meats is recalling Array. The recall was initiated on 14 Dec 2021 and the FDA has classified it as Class I.

Recall details

Recall number: FSIS-047-2021
Recalling firm: Smithfield Packaged Meats
Classification: Class I
Status: Completed
Recall initiated: 14 Dec 2021
Reported: 14 Dec 2021
USDA notice type: Closed Recall
Reason category: Other Bacterial Contamination
Product category: Sausage

Timeline

14 Dec 2021	Recall initiated by company
14 Dec 2021	Published in enforcement report	+0 days

Companies usually start a recall weeks before the FDA classifies and publishes it; the gap above is that lag.

Reason for recall

Array. WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2021 – Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., doing business as Margherita Meats, Inc., an Omaha, Neb. establishment, is recalling approximately 10,990 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pepperoni products that may be adulterated with Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The RTE unsliced pepperoni product was produced and packaged on June 17, 2021. The following products are subject to recall [view label]: 8-oz. plastic shrink-wrapped packages containing unsliced pepperoni “Margherita PEPPERONI” with lot code P1931C and a “use by date” of 12-14-21 represented on the label. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 19” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide. The problem was discovered when the Department of Defense notified FSIS that they found B. cereus during routine product testing. B. cereus is a toxin-producing microorganism that causes diarrhea and vomiting in people. Those with compromised immune systems are at risk for more severe illness. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care including antibiotics are the usual treatment. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries or refrigerators.

Product as listed by the USDA

Array

Where it was distributed

Array

Questions about this recall

Why was it recalled?

Where was it sold?

Array

What should I do if I have it?

Do not eat it. Return it to the store for a refund or throw it away. If you have symptoms after eating it, contact a doctor.

What does Class I mean?

Class I is the most serious FDA recall category: there is a reasonable probability that using the product will cause serious health consequences or death.

Read the official USDA FSIS notice · Source record retrieved 26 Sep 2026. USDA data is public domain. This page reports the record and gives no medical advice.

More recalls from Smithfield Packaged Meats

All 3

Reported	Class	Recall	Company	Reason	Where
20 May 2022Food	CLASS I	A Ready-To-Eat Bacon Topping Products recalled	Smithfield Packaged Meats	Foreign Material
17 Jul 2018Food	CLASS I	Pepperoni Five Cheese Calzone Products recalled	Smithfield Packaged Meats	Foreign Material

Other Sausage recalls

All 97

Reported	Class	Recall	Company	Reason	Where
15 Jul 2026Food	CLASS I	Smoked Sausage Spice 32.86# recalled by Adams Extract & Spice	Adams Extract & Spice	Undeclared Sesame	TX
8 Jul 2026Food	CLASS II	MorningStar Farms Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties recalled by Mars SnackingMorningStar	Mars Snacking	Foreign Material	41 states
9 May 2026Food	HEALTH ALERT	Headcheese Deli Meat Products recalled by FSIS	FSIS	Listeria
27 Sep 2025Food	CLASS I	Corn Dog and Sausage On A Stick Products recalled	The Hillshire Brands	Foreign Material
31 Jan 2025Food	CLASS I	Sausage Link Products recalled by D. J.'s Boudain	D. J.'s Boudain	Foreign Material