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The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ordered the immediate recall of approximately 32,000 pounds of meat products after detecting counterfeit inspection marks and the absence of required federal inspection.
The alert refers to products made by the company Sabrositos Hondureños, LLC, located in Edison, New Jersey.
The FSIS, whose mission is to ensure that meat, poultry products, and eggs do not pose a health risk and carry correct labeling, has alerted consumers about the risks of consuming unverified meat, which may contain harmful bacteria or undeclared allergens.
How the issue was detected
The discovery occurred during routine FSIS surveillance, when inspectors found packages in stores bearing a counterfeit USDA seal that included the establishment number EST. 1785, which does not exist in the official records.
The authority concluded that the batches were produced and distributed without the necessary health supervision required by law.
Which products are affected?
The withdrawn items correspond to vacuum-sealed presentations of 14 ounces under the OLANCHO brand - one of the reports lists it as OLNACHO - and carry the commercial label "SABROCITOS HONDUREÑOS".
The varieties are:
Olanchano Loose Chorizo
Smoked Olanchano Chorizo
Chorizo Olanchano Criollo (cased)
Spicy BBQ Smoked Grilled Chorizo
Smoked Olanchano Pork Chop
Smoked Olanchana Ribs
Risks and health situation
So far, no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported. However, the FSIS warns that consuming uninspected meat may expose individuals to dangerous pathogens or undeclared allergens.
The recommendation is not to consume these products under any circumstances.
What consumers and businesses should do
Do not consume the marked items.
Dispose of them safely or return them to the point of purchase.
Restaurants and businesses must remove and dispose of any remaining inventory.
The FSIS will publish the list of retailers that received the products on its official website as it becomes available.
For inquiries, the following contacts are available: Diego Funez Garrido, owner of Sabrositos Hondureños, LLC (908-274-4206), the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline (888-674-6854), the email MPHotline@usda.gov, and the reporting portal foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF.
A context of greater food scrutiny
The recall coincides with another recent alert in the country: Walmart withdrew several lots of frozen raw shrimp Great Value in Florida and 12 other states after traces of Cesium-137 were detected in containers and in a specific sample from Indonesia.
Although the reported levels are below the intervention threshold, the FDA recommended not to consume those products due to the potential long-term cumulative risk and temporarily blocked the entry of new shipments from the supplier P.T. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods).
The indicated lots (8005538-1, 8005539-1, and 8005540-1) expire on March 15, 2027, and were distributed in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, OH, OK, PA, TX, and WV.
The message from the authorities
The FSIS emphasizes that the counterfeiting of inspection seals not only deceives consumers but also compromises public health. Therefore, it insists on checking labels, paying attention to official notices, and reporting any anomalies.
In the case of OLANCHO products, the instruction is to immediately remove them from the supply chain and follow the recommended refund or disposal channels.
Frequently Asked Questions about Meat Withdrawal due to False Labels and Food Safety in the U.S.
Why were more than 32,000 pounds of meat withdrawn from the market in the U.S.?
The recall was due to the detection of counterfeit inspection marks on the meat products from Sabrositos Hondureños, LLC, indicating that they did not undergo the mandatory federal inspection. This poses health risks when consuming meat potentially contaminated with harmful bacteria or undeclared allergens.
What specific products are affected by the meat recall in New Jersey?
The affected products are 14-ounce packages of chorizos and chops under the OLANCHO brand, which include Chorizo Suelto Olanchano, Chorizo Ahumado Olanchano, Chorizo Olanchano Criollo, Chorizo Parrillero, Chuleta Ahumada Olanchana, and Costilla Ahumada Olanchana. These should be withdrawn and not consumed under any circumstances.
What are the risks of consuming meat with counterfeit inspection labels?
Consuming uninspected meat can expose you to dangerous pathogens or undeclared allergens, which could lead to serious illnesses. Although no cases of illness have been reported so far, it is crucial to avoid consuming these products to prevent unnecessary health risks.
What should consumers who purchased the affected products do?
Consumers should dispose of the products safely or return them to the point of purchase. Additionally, they can contact the USDA help lines or the owner of Sabrositos Hondureños, LLC for more information regarding the recall and the return process.
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