Here’s what you need to know:
- Date: December 20
- Announced by: USDA on December 24
- Company: Ralph’s Packing Company
- Product: Ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna
- Issue: Undeclared milk
Keep reading to find out more!
What happened?
On December 20th, Ralph’s Packing Company issued a recall for approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products for misbranding and undeclared milk. The ready-to-eat pork and beef garlic bologna items were produced in September 2022 and bear establishment number “EST. 51557” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail and food service locations in Oklahoma and some products may have been sliced and sold at retail deli counters. The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that the labels applied to the product did not include milk on the label.
Company | Product | Size | Lot code | Issue |
Ralph’s Packing Company | Ralph’s CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA | 16-oz. (1 LB) or various weight (larger than 16-oz.) vacuum-sealed chubs | 0093, 0654, 0804, 1074, 1153, 1224, 1374, 1774, 1924, 2572, 2974, 3132, and 3483. | Undeclared milk |
Ralph’s Packing Company | Ralph’s CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA with Jalapenos | 16-oz. (1 LB) or various weight (larger than 16-oz.) vacuum-sealed chubs | 0804, 1074, 1224, 1233, 1354, 2184, and 3374. | Undeclared milk |
What caused the issue?
Due to a mislabeling error, the products didn’t declare milk on them. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. This is one of the eight most common food allergens, and when it’s not disclosed on a product’s label, it can be a major problem. This is because some immune systems confuse certain proteins found in milk as harmful. Your body goes on full alert mode and it releases histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic signs and symptoms. Among the most common food allergens we can find:
- Cow’s milk (dairy)
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nuts
- Sesame
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Wheat
No illnesses have been reported to date.
Here’s what you should do
If you have purchased this product, take action! Here’s how:
- Check the label:
Lot code: Ralph’s CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA (0093, 0654, 0804, 1074, 1153, 1224, 1374, 1774, 1924, 2572, 2974, 3132, and 3483)
Ralph’s CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA with Jalapenos (0804, 1074, 1224, 1233, 1354, 2184, and 3374) - Identify the product:
Ralph’s CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA
Ralph’s CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA with Jalapenos - What you should do:
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and foodservice establishments are urged not to serve these products. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. - Contact info:
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Jake Nelson, Food Safety Coordinator, Ralph’s Packing Company at 405-547-2464 or [email protected].
Consumers 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 that 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/.
Behind the brand
Ralph’s Packing Co. is a complete meat processing company, specializing in high quality smoked and fresh meat products. We serve wholesale and retail customers, and are inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Unfortunately, they are not the only ones dealing with undeclared allergens this month. On December 20th aswell, Lidl US recalled a significant amount of their Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables 10.5 oz box for undeclared milk allergen.
Ensuring safe eats!
This recall is a reminder of how important food safety is, and how critical it is for companies to take swift action when issues arise. While the food industry has made huge strides in ensuring the safety of the products we eat, mistakes like these highlight the need for vigilance. The fact that the recall was issued so quickly shows that regulatory agencies like the FDA and FSIS are on the ball, making sure consumers are informed and protected.
Food companies need to keep improving their labeling processes to ensure that allergens like milk are clearly listed. It’s also essential that consumers remain informed and act quickly when a recall occurs.
“Food safety is a shared responsibility that extends across every level of the supply chain, from ingredient sourcing to final packaging. Issues like undeclared allergens remind us how critical transparency and attention to detail are in safeguarding public health. As an industry, we must continue to prioritize rigorous quality control measures and clear labeling to ensure consumers can trust the products they bring into their homes.” Eran Mizrahi, Source86’ CEO.
Wanna know more about recalls like this one? Talk to our team!
