Here’s what you should know:
- Date: December 2, 2024
- Announced by: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
- Company: Ecuatorianita Imports & Exports, LLC
- Product: Mortadela ESPECIAL BOLOGNIA
- Issue: Illegally imported, missing USDA inspection mark
- Details: 1-lb vacuum-sealed packages
Keep reading to learn all the details!
What happened?
On December 2, the FSIS issued a public health alert for Mortadela ESPECIAL BOLOGNIA, a frozen, ready-to-eat pork product. The problem? The product was illegally imported from Ecuador, a country that is currently ineligible to export meat products to the U.S. To make matters worse, the product also lacked the required USDA inspection mark, meaning it wasn’t properly checked for safety before hitting U.S. shelves.
How did the problem come to light?
The FSIS discovered the issue during routine surveillance activities at a warehouse, where they found that the mortadella was missing the all-important USDA inspection mark. This oversight raised alarms, and now, consumers are being urged to get rid of it, as it wasn’t officially approved for U.S. sale.
Why is this such a big deal?
While no illnesses have been reported at the time of this recall, illegally imported products are a serious concern for food safety. Without proper inspection, there’s no guarantee that the product meets the U.S. food safety standards, which could leave consumers vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. This isn’t just about missing paperwork—it’s about ensuring that the food we eat is safe and meets the highest standards. Ecuador is not authorized to export meat to the U.S., so the product was not subject to the rigorous checks and testing that ensure it’s safe to eat.
What’s in the mortadella?
- Product Name: Mortadela ESPECIAL BOLOGNIA
- Size: 1-lb vacuum-sealed packages
- Issue: Lack of USDA inspection and illegal importation
- Distribution Locations: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
What should you do with the mortadella?
- Do not consume this product, it wasn’t inspected and could pose a health risk.
- Dispose of it immediately, or return it to the point of purchase.
- If you still have the vacuum-sealed packages in your fridge or freezer, now’s the time to check that label. You’re looking for a 1-lb vacuum-sealed package with no USDA inspection mark.
Media and consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Veronica Vasquez, firm President, Ecuatorianita Imports & Exports, LLC, at 732-309-0183 or [email protected]. Those with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to [email protected]. For consumers who need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
Ensuring safe eats
The U.S. food system relies on strict standards to keep consumers safe. When a company bypasses inspection protocols, it puts everyone at risk. Illegal imports can also undermine consumer trust, especially when unregulated products make it to market. This is why food safety regulations exist—to ensure that our food doesn’t just taste good but keeps us safe. Unfortunately, illegal imports are common in the food industry, this is why it is best to be extremely attentive and prioritize transparency.
“As an industry, it’s crucial that we prioritize transparency, compliance, and rigorous safety standards at every step of the supply chain. Food recalls, like the one we’re seeing with illegally imported products, remind us that even small lapses in inspection and regulation can have far-reaching consequences. We all have a responsibility to ensure that every product that reaches consumers is safe, properly sourced, and fully compliant with all regulations. It’s not just about following the rules—it’s about safeguarding public health and maintaining the trust that consumers place in the food they eat.” Eran Mizrahi, Source86’ CEO.
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