Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp., doing business as Margherita Meats, Inc., an Omaha, Neb., establishment, is recalling approximately 10,990 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pepperoni products that may be adulterated with Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The RTE unsliced pepperoni product was produced and packaged on June 17, 2021, FSIS reports. The following products are subject to recall [view label]:

• 8-oz. plastic shrink-wrapped packages containing unsliced pepperoni “Margherita PEPPERONI” with lot code P1931C and a “use by date” of 12-14-21 represented on the label.

The recalled products bear establishment number “EST. 19” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered when the Department of Defense notified FSIS that they found B. cereus during routine product testing.

What is Bacillus cereus?

B. cereus is a toxin-producing microorganism that causes diarrhea and vomiting in people, FSIS reports. People with compromised immune systems are at risk for more severe illness. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care including antibiotics are the usual treatment.

Although no incidences of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products have been reported, anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.  

Check your pantries or refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them, FSIS says. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions should call the Margherita Consumer Affairs Hotline at 844-342-2596.