Smithfield Recalls 185,000 Pounds of Bacon Topping Due to Possible Metal Contamination

Kimberly Holland
·2 min read

Iowa-based pork producer Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. has issued a recall of ready-to-eat (RTE) bacon topping products.

The food processing company announced May 20, 2022 that 185,610 pounds of RTE bacon toppings were being recalled because they may be contaminated with metal pieces. The recall was initiated after a customer contacted Smithfield and complained they found metal in their bacon topping product.

To date, no confirmed reports of injuries or adverse reactions have not been reported. However, Smithfield and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recommend people not consume the bacon topping. Instead, you should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.

The recalled products bear the establishment number "EST. 27384" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Recalled products include:

  • 5-lb. packages containing "Golden Crisp PATRICK CUDAHY PRECOOKED BACON TOPPING" SKU 43200 12002 with lot codes 2054, 2062 and 2063.

  • 5-lb. packages containing "Smithfield PRECOOKED BACON TOPPING" SKU 43200 12003 with lot codes 2063 and 2064.

  • 5-lb. packages containing "Golden Crisp PATRICK CUDAHY FULLY COOKED BACON TOPPING APPLEWOOD SMOKED" SKU 43200 12296 with lot codes 2053 and 2062.

  • 5-lb. packages containing "Smithfield FULLY COOKED BACON TOPPING" SKU 43200 12663 with lot code 2064.

  • 5-lb. packages containing "MEMBER'S MARK FULLY COOKED BACON CRUMBLES" SKU 78742240923 with "BEST IF USED BY" date of "2022-11-18."

The food items were produced February 21 to February 23, 2022; and March 3 to March 5, 2022. View the recalled labels.

Pork Processing At A Smithfield Foods Plant
Pork Processing At A Smithfield Foods Plant

Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images

These food items were shipped to distributors and retail locations nationwide. They may have been used to prepare other foods, too.

FSIS says in their class I recall notice that they expect additional products to be impacted by the recall. They encourage consumers to check the recall frequently for updated items and expanded recall lists.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Smithfield Consumer Affairs hotline at 1-844-342-2596. You can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA. Send a question about a recall to MPHotline@usda.gov.