Ferrarini recalls prosciutto di parma due to import reinspection oversight

• Date Issued: April 30, 2025
• Announced By: USDA’s FSIS on May 2, 2025
• Company: Ferrarini USA, Inc.
• Product: Ready-to-eat “FERRARINI PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA PRODUCT OF ITALY”
• Issue: Imported without mandatory FSIS reinspection
• Details: 4-oz. vacuum-sealed trays, Lot Code “2527642”
• Distribution: Retailers in California
• Next Steps: Consumers should not eat the product—return it or toss it

Wanna know more about what happened? Stick around—we’ve got all the juicy (and dry-cured) details.

What happened?

This week’s latest addition to the “Wait, we ate that?” list comes from Ferrarini USA, Inc., which just recalled around 70 pounds of its imported, ready-to-eat sliced prosciutto. Why? Because the meat skipped a critical step in its U.S. debut—mandatory import reinspection by the USDA’s FSIS.

Ferrarini imported its Prosciutto di Parma from Italy on April 21, 2025. A federal establishment later flagged the shipment and reported the oversight to FSIS. The company failed to present the sliced prosciutto for reinspection upon arrival—violating USDA rules designed to protect public health.

Here’s a quick rundown of the affected product:

Brand	Product Name	Size	UPC / Lot Code	Best By	Issue
Ferrarini	Prosciutto di Parma (Product of Italy)	4 oz	Lot Code 2527642	N/A	No FSIS Import Reinspection

These items were exclusively shipped to California retailers, and though there are no confirmed illnesses so far, the USDA is advising consumers to either return the product or safely discard it.

What caused the issue?

This recall isn’t about bacteria lurking in the ham—at least, not confirmed ones. It’s about a critical regulatory misstep: Ferrarini USA imported prosciutto into the United States without presenting it for the required FSIS import reinspection.

Why does that matter?

All meat and poultry products imported into the U.S. must be reinspected by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at the point of entry.

Skipping this step isn’t just a paperwork issue—it’s a safety one. The FSIS reinspection helps confirm:

• The product was handled safely during transport
• The labeling complies with U.S. standards
• No tampering or spoilage occurred
• Temperature controls were properly maintained
• The product matches its documentation and isn’t substituted or mishandled

The danger of bypassing FSIS reinspection

When this safeguard is skipped, there’s no official verification that:

• The meat wasn’t exposed to unsafe conditions during shipping (think fluctuating temperatures or contamination)
• Packaging integrity remained intact
• The product aligns with U.S. safety and labeling laws

Even though no pathogens have been identified in this prosciutto, the lack of reinspection means consumers can’t be sure it’s safe.

Who’s most at risk?

• Pregnant individuals
• Seniors (65+)
• Children
• Immunocompromised individuals

If this prosciutto were contaminated, symptoms could include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Fever
• In severe cases, dehydration or hospitalization

10 common questions you might have

1. Is the recalled prosciutto dangerous to eat?
It hasn’t been declared contaminated, but it skipped a required safety check—so eating it could carry unknown risks.

2. What exactly is FSIS reinspection?
It’s a U.S.-mandated process to verify that imported meat meets domestic safety standards before being sold to consumers.

3. How did Ferrarini miss this step?
A federal establishment notified FSIS of the oversight. The exact reason isn’t public, but it may be due to an import documentation error or shipment mishandling.

4. I already ate this—should I be worried?
If you feel fine, there’s no immediate cause for alarm. But monitor for foodborne illness symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if anything feels off.

5. Where was the prosciutto sold?
It was distributed to retailers in California only.

6. Can I return it?
Yes. Return the product to the store where you purchased it for a refund, or discard it safely.

7. How can I identify the recalled product?
Look for:

• Lot Code: 2527642
• 4-oz vacuum-sealed tray
• Label: “FERRARINI PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA PRODUCT OF ITALY”
• Italian mark of inspection: “IT 713 L CE”

8. Is Ferrarini a reliable brand?
Generally, yes—they’re a well-known Italian cured meat producer. But even good brands can stumble in logistics or compliance.

9. Has Ferrarini had recalls before?
There are no major prior USDA recall records for Ferrarini, but this incident shows that even established importers must stay vigilant.

10. What if I still have questions?
Contact Ferrarini USA’s CFO, Luca Infantino, at 818-256-1622 or [email protected]. You can also call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.

Here’s what you should do

Not sure if your prosciutto is part of the recall? Here’s how to check:

• Look for the label: “FERRARINI PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA PRODUCT OF ITALY” with lot code “2527642”
• Packaging: 4-oz. vacuum-sealed trays with Italian inspection mark “IT 713 L CE”
• Action Steps:
  • Do not eat the product.
  • Return it to the store for a refund or dispose of it safely.
  • Questions? Contact Ferrarini USA’s CFO, Luca Infantino, at 818-256-1622 or [email protected]

Need to vent? USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline is all ears at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854).

Behind the brand

Ferrarini is a well-known Italian food brand famous for its cured meats and cheeses. While their products are often synonymous with quality, even the best can slip up in the regulatory maze of global food trade.

• Company: Ferrarini USA, Inc., based in Secaucus, NJ
• Previous Recalls: This is the first major USDA-related recall in recent history from Ferrarini.
• Similar Recalls:
  
  • On March 31, Allen Family Foods was in hot water after their White Chicken Chili failed to receive proper FSIS import reinspection. FSIS issued a public health alert to warn consumers about the potential risk.
    
  • On February 25, 2025, C&T Produce Wholesale Inc. recalled approximately 1,152 pounds of Peppered Dried Catfish after FSIS discovered that the product came from a Vietnamese facility that is not approved for exporting Siluriformes (catfish) to the United States.

“When imported products skip mandatory inspections, it’s not just a technical slip—it’s a breakdown in the safety net that protects consumers. This recall highlights the importance of transparency, regulatory compliance, and strong checkpoints across the supply chain. It’s not only about following the rules—it’s about earning and keeping the trust of every person buying food off the shelf.” — Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86

These recurring inspection-related issues highlight the growing importance of maintaining airtight documentation and compliance, especially for co-manufacturers, co-packers, and private label importers.

Ensuring safe eats

While this recall might not involve a bacterial boogeyman like Listeria or Salmonella, it underscores a deeper issue in the food import process—compliance. Skipping reinspection means skipping a key step in food safety.

In a supply chain where trust is everything, these kinds of errors can damage reputations, stall logistics, and lead to costly product losses. For bulk buyers, importers, and wholesale suppliers, that means it’s more crucial than ever to:

• Vet your sources
• Verify reinspection documentation
• Have traceability protocols in place

Quick reminder: If you have the recalled Ferrarini prosciutto, toss it or return it immediately.At Source86, we believe that sourcing should be simple, safe, and totally stress-free. Have questions? Want to ensure your next batch of premium product doesn’t get sidelined at the border? Let’s talk. Contact our team or explore our vetted range of compliant ingredients today.