Al Shabrawy Incorporated Recalls Meat and Poultry Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Class I Recall
Release: 070-2016 EXP
Health Risk: High
Date: Aug 10, 2016

En Español

Congressional and Public Affairs
Benjamin A. Bell
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2016 – Al Shabrawy Meat Inc., a South River, N.J. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of meat and poultry products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Some of the products contain pistachio nut and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. 

The basterma, sausage, soujouk, salami, mortadella, makanek, bologna, Lahmajun (meat pie) and other sausage-like items were produced on various dates between Jan. 1, 2015 and Aug. 4, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

• “TAZAH, SULTAN, & YORUK SLICED BASTERMA” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• “AL MARAAI, AL HALU, BAROODY, & AL SHABRAWY SLICED AND WHOLE BASTERMA” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• “AL SHABRAWY, TAZAH, & BAROODY MAKANEK” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• “TAZAH EGYPTIAN STYLE FRESH SAUSAGE” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• “AL SHABRAWY FRESH SAUSAGE” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• “BAROODY & SULTAN DRIED SOUJOUK” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• “SEVAN LAHMAJUN” – cryovaced and weighed at the time of sale
• 1-lb. plastic tubes (chubs) of “AL SHABRAWY PLAIN, OLIVE, & BLACK PEPPER SALAMI”
• 5-lb. plastic tubes (chubs) of “AL SHABRAWY PLAIN, OLIVE, & BLACK PEPPER SALAMI”
• 1-lb. plastic tubes (chubs) of “AL SHABRAWY OLIVE & PISTACHIO MORTADELLA”
• 5-lb. plastic tubes (chubs) of “AL SHABRAWY OLIVE & PISTACHIO MORTADELLA”

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 19160” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations and wholesalers in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The problem was discovered during an on-going FSIS investigation at the establishment following a complaint to the agency. The major public health concerns include listing hydrolyzed plant protein in the ingredient statement of the beef bologna and beef mortadella, but not specifying that soy, an allergen, is the source of that protein. Also, the beef mortadella products did not declare pistachio nut, an allergen, on individual package ingredient statements, although some cases of the product display a sticker stating “Pistachio” was in the product. FSIS also found that beef salami and beef bologna products contained poultry ingredients and a sausage product tested positive for Red Dye #40, which is not declared on product labels. Additionally, raw beef trim, designated for cooking only, was used in raw non-intact finished products.

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.  

Details of the first recall are: WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2016 – Al Shabrawy Meat Inc., a South River, N.J. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of meat and poultry products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Some of the products contain pistachio nut and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label. 

The beef bologna, beef salami, mortadella and other sausage-like items were produced on various dates between Jan. 1, 2015 and Aug. 4, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:

• 1-lb. plastic container of “AL SHABRAWY COOKED BEEF SALAMI” with UPC code 4203601235 printed on the label.
• 16-oz. rolls of “AL SHABRAWY COOKED BEEF BOLOGNA” with UPC code 4203601237 printed on the label.
• 5-lb. rolls of “AL SHABRAWY COOKED BEEF BOLOGNA” with UPC code 4203601236 printed on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic container of “AL SHABRAWY COOKED BEEF MORTADELLA” with UPC code 4203601236 printed on the label.
• 5-lb. plastic container of “AL SHABRAWY COOKED BEEF SALAMI PLAIN” with UPC code 4203601235 printed on the label.
• 20-lb. cases, containing five pieces of “AL SHABRAWY BASTERMA” with UPC code 4203601231 printed on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic container of “BAROODY COOKED BEEF SALAMI” with UPC code 4203601235 printed on the label.
• 1-lb. plastic container of “BAROODY MAKANEK (Raw)” with UPC code 4203601223 printed on the label.
• 75-lb. plastic container of “BAROODY SOUJOUK (Dried Beef Sausage)” with UPC code 4203601222 printed on the label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 19160” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations and wholesalers in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The problem was discovered during an on-going FSIS investigation at the establishment following a complaint to the agency. The major public health concerns include listing hydrolyzed plant protein in the ingredient statement of the beef bologna and beef mortadella, but not specifying that soy, an allergen, is the source of that protein. Also, the beef mortadella products did not declare pistachio nut, an allergen, on individual package ingredient statements, although some cases of the product display a sticker stating “Pistachio” was in the product. FSIS also found that beef salami and beef bologna products contained poultry ingredients and a sausage product tested positive for Red Dye #40, which is not declared on product labels. Additionally, raw beef trim, designated for cooking only, was used in raw non-intact finished products.

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.

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 and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers.

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. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Medhat Mechaeil, company owner, at (732) 238-0428.

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 l0 a.m. to 4 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.