Eddy Packing Co., Inc. Recalls Smoked Sausage Product due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, MAY 31, 2018 Eddy Packing Co., Inc., a Yoakum, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 18,390 pounds of smoked sausage that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically soft plastic, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The frozen, ready-to-eat smoked sausage items were produced on March 14, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [ View Label (PDF only)] 10-lb. case of CARLS PORK AND BEEF SMOKED SAUSAGE WITH A STICK with lot code 8073, case code PS9319 and sell by date of March 14, 2019. The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST 4800 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service businesses in Texas. The problem was discovered after the company received a customer complaint about soft, green plastic material found in the product. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers refrigerators or freezers after having purchased the product from food service businesses. 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. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Francisco Montejano, Communications and Public Affairs Officer with Eddy Packing Co., at 361-293-2361, Ext. 771. Consumers with food safety questions 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 .