Public health warning issued over pork and beef bacon products exceeding sodium nitrite regulatory limits

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various Farmstead Butcher Block not-ready-to-eat pork and beef bacon products because of sodium nitrite levels exceeding the regulatory limit.

Consumption of hazardous amounts of sodium nitrites can lead to life-threatening illness and/or death.

FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.

The problem was discovered by FSIS while performing routine inspection activities. FSIS discovered that the establishment’s formulation of sodium nitrite, a restricted ingredient, exceeded the regulatory limit. 

These items were shipped to farmers markets and farm stores in Kentucky and Tennessee as well as direct-to-consumer sales. The other items sold by various weight were purchased from the retail counter at Farmstead Butcher Block.

The dry cured pork and beef bacon items were produced between April 12, 2024, and May 31, 2024. 

Products subject to the public health alert:

• Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD LOCAL HOUSE SMOKED BACON,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
• Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD BUTCHER BLOCK BUCK BOARD BACON,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
• Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD BUTCHER BLOCK PORK JOWL WHOLE HOUSE SMOKED,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
• Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD BUTCHER BLOCK HOUSE SMOKED BEEF BACON,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
• Approximately 1 pound packages containing “Clark Farms Smoked Pork Jowl Bacon,” bearing lot code H130RH.
• Approximately 1 pound packages containing “Clark Farms Smoked Pork Bacon,” bearing lot code H130RH.
• Approximately 1 pound packages containing “Clark Farms Smoked Pork Shoulder Bacon,” bearing lot code H130RH.
• Approximately 1 pound packages containing “Farmstead Butcher Block Smoked Pork Jowl Bacon,” bearing lot code H81AB.
• Approximately 1 pound packages containing “Farmstead Butcher Block Smoked Pork Bacon,” bearing lot code H81AB.
• Approximately 1 pound packages containing “Southwinds Cattle Company Smoked Beef Belly Bacon,” bearing lot code B237AB.

Product labels can be viewed here.

Some of the products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 47852” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Other products were produced under a custom exemption and do not bear the USDA mark of inspection.

As of the posting of this alert, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. 

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)