- Date Issued: April 29, 2025
- Announced By: FSIS on April 29, 2025
- Company: Smith Packing, LLC
- Product: Ready-to-eat sausages and sliced meat and poultry items
- Issue: Sodium nitrite levels above regulatory limits
- Product Details: 18,792 lbs affected; distributed to retail and institutional locations in New York
- What You Can Do: Check your fridge, toss the affected products, or return them
Stick around, we’re diving into the full meat of the matter.
What happened?
Smith Packing, LLC—based in Utica, NY—is recalling nearly 19,000 pounds of its ready-to-eat sausages and meat and poultry products after discovering sodium nitrite levels that went a bit overboard. Sodium nitrite is commonly used for curing meats, but when it crosses the regulatory limit, it can turn from preservation hero to health hazard.
Consumers reported products with an “off-taste” and “off-color,” prompting the company and USDA to take immediate action—despite no reported illnesses. The affected items were produced between February 19 and April 24, 2025, and shipped throughout New York.
Here’s the quick look on what’s affected:
Brand | Product | Size | UPC / Est. No. | Best By Date | Issue |
Smith Packing | Sausages & Sliced Meats (various) | Various sizes | EST. 4578 / P-4578 | Various | Excess sodium nitrite levels |
How the company found out: Consumer complaints about taste and color
Where it was sold: Institutional and retail locations in New York
What caused the issue?
The recall of Smith Packing’s ready-to-eat sausages and sliced meat products stems from sodium nitrite levels exceeding the regulatory limit. Meat processors commonly use sodium nitrite to prevent bacterial growth, enhance flavor, and preserve the meat’s color. However, when used improperly or in excess, it can pose serious health risks.
The danger of excess sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite can cause methemoglobinemia—a condition that prevents blood from carrying oxygen effectively—when consumed in amounts beyond regulated limits. This condition is dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations.
Health Risks:
- Methemoglobinemia: High levels of sodium nitrite can interfere with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, causing symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and in extreme cases, unconsciousness.
- Carcinogenic Concerns: Long-term exposure to high levels of sodium nitrite, particularly when consumed in processed meats, has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. The compound can form nitrosamines in the body, which are known carcinogens.
Vulnerable groups:
- Pregnant Women: Excessive nitrites can interfere with fetal development, particularly affecting oxygen levels.
- Infants and Young Children: Their blood chemistry is more sensitive to changes in oxygen levels.
- Individuals with Heart Conditions: People with existing heart or circulatory issues may be more vulnerable to the effects of low oxygen levels in the blood.
Common symptoms of overexposure:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Blueish tint to skin or lips (a sign of oxygen deprivation)
- In severe cases: Loss of consciousness or coma
Although this recall hasn’t confirmed any adverse reactions, consumers should stay cautious since prolonged or heavy consumption could increase the risks.
10 common questions you may have:
- What is sodium nitrite and why is it used in meat products?
- Answer: Sodium nitrite is a preservative used in meat products to prevent bacterial growth, enhance color, and improve flavor. It’s commonly found in sausages, bacon, and deli meats.
- Why is sodium nitrite dangerous in excess?
- Answer: When sodium nitrite levels are too high, it can interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen, leading to methemoglobinemia, which can cause dizziness, headaches, and even unconsciousness in extreme cases.
- Who is at risk from consuming too much sodium nitrite?
- Answer: Pregnant women, infants, young children, and individuals with heart conditions are at higher risk of experiencing adverse effects from excess sodium nitrite.
- What are the symptoms of sodium nitrite poisoning?
- Answer: Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a blueish tint to the skin or lips due to lack of oxygen.
- Is there a safe level of sodium nitrite in food?
- Answer: Food safety authorities set a regulatory limit that ensures the ingredient is safe for consumption. However, exceeding this limit can lead to health risks, as seen in this recall.
- Can I still eat my Smith Packing sausages and meats if they were part of the recall?
- Answer: No, you should not consume the recalled products. They may contain excessive sodium nitrite levels, which could pose a health risk. You should discard or return the product.
- What should I look for to identify recalled products?
- Answer: Check the USDA mark of inspection for EST. 4578 or P-4578 and the product’s “Best By” dates from February 19, 2025, to April 24, 2025.
- What can happen if I eat a product with too much sodium nitrite?
- Answer: Eating products with excessive sodium nitrite can cause symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it could lead to unconsciousness or other severe health issues.
- What should I do if I have already consumed the recalled product?
- Answer: If you have already consumed the recalled products and feel unwell, contact a healthcare provider immediately. However, there have been no confirmed reports of illness from the affected products as of now.
- How does this recall impact the food industry?
- Answer: This recall highlights the importance of food safety and regulatory compliance in the meat processing industry. It also underscores the need for thorough testing and accurate batch tracking to avoid these types of issues in the future.
Here’s what you should do:
- Look for: EST. 4578 or P-4578 inside the USDA mark of inspection
- Check: Product packaging for “Best By” dates between Feb 19–Apr 24, 2025
- Action: Dispose of it or return to the place of purchase
- Questions? Contact Joe Schaeffer at [email protected]
- USDA Hotline: 888-674-6854 or file a complaint here
Behind the brand
Smith Packing, LLC has been serving the New York region with meat and poultry products for years. This isn’t the first recall involving sodium nitrite missteps, though—it’s part of a growing trend of additive-related recalls across the industry. Recent recalls:
- On April 10, 2025, Momo Tea Inc. announced a recall of their MO-CHA Premium Non-Dairy Creamer because it does contain milk. Specifically, the product includes whey powder and casein, two ingredients derived from milk, without declaring them on the label.
- On April 28, 2025, Taylor Fresh Foods issued a voluntary recall because a packet of parmesan cheese crumbles was mistakenly placed. The label, however, still listed the topping as crispy onions—with no mention of milk, which is a top 9 allergen.
“Maintaining safe ingredient levels—like sodium nitrite—is just as critical as accurate labeling when it comes to protecting public health. When regulatory thresholds are exceeded, even unintentionally, it doesn’t just raise safety concerns—it shakes consumer confidence. This Smith Packing recall is a strong reminder of why strict quality control and compliance checks are non-negotiable in our industry.” — Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86
While Smith Packing hasn’t had frequent recall history, this recent event reminds us just how fine the line is between “cured just right” and “cured a bit too much.”
Ensuring safe eats
Recalls like this highlight a broader issue for the food industry—especially for co-packers, co-manufacturers, and private label brands working with sensitive ingredients. Precision in formulation and rigorous batch testing aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re mission-critical.
Why this matters:
- Ingredient mismanagement can lead to costly recalls, damaged trust, and health risks
- Bulk buyers and suppliers must stay proactive with traceability and safety protocols
- Foodservice and retail partners must audit sources and track compliance
If you’re handling bulk meat, spices, or other perishable ingredients, make sure your suppliers have the controls in place to avoid excesses like this.
Need help sourcing clean, safe, and regulation-compliant ingredients? Talk to our team at Source86 for trusted bulk solutions—because safe eats start at the source.
