HEB Recalls Some 200 Tons Of Smoked Sausage In Texas

AUSTIN, TX — More than 410,000 pounds of HEB smoked sausage — that's in excess of 200 tons' worth — has been recalled following an ingredient omission of pork casing.

Officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service notified the public of the product recall on its website. J Bar B Foods, a Waelder, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 410,985 pounds of beef brisket smoked sausage products due to an adulterated and misbranded ingredient, officials said on Tuesday.

The products contain a pork casing, which is not declared on the product label, and may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals, regulators explained. No reports of illness have surfaced from the recalled products, officials noted, but concern remains that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

The ready-to-eat beef brisket smoked sausage products were produced on various dates from June 21, 2016, to May 29, 2018, according to the recall notice. The following products are subject to recall:

• 12 oz. vacuum-packed packages of “H-E-B TEXAS HERITAGE SAUSAGE SMOKED WITH NATURAL HARDWOOD BEEF BRISKET.”

Lot codes, packaging dates and other identifying label information may be found here. Consumers also can view the product label (PDF only)]. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 7066” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations across Texas.

The problem was discovered on June 12 in response to a customer inquiry that a beef smoked sausage product did not specify pork casing as part of the ingredients statement, regulators said.

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. Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Adam Bosi, president of J Bar B Foods at (860) 787-7511.

Consumers with food safety questions also can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.