05/01/2025 / By Cassie B.
In a scary reminder to everyone about the hidden dangers lurking in processed foods, New York-based Smith Packing, LLC, has recalled roughly 18,792 pounds of ready-to-eat sausage, sliced meat, and poultry products after tests revealed sodium nitrite levels exceeding federal safety limits.
The recall, announced by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on April 29, was triggered by consumer complaints of “off-taste and off-color” products. While no adverse reactions have been confirmed, the agency warns that these meats, which were distributed to retailers and institutions in New York, pose a serious health risk and should be discarded immediately.
The recall, classified as a “High-Class I” event—the most severe category—highlights the disturbing reality that many of the foods on store shelves may contain toxic additives that compromise public health. Sodium nitrite, a common preservative used to extend shelf life and enhance color in processed meats, is at the center of this scandal. At high levels, it can starve the body of oxygen, leading to dizziness, headaches, and even death.
Sodium nitrite’s dangers are well-documented but often ignored by regulators and manufacturers. The New Jersey Department of Health warns that excessive exposure “reduces the blood’s ability to transport oxygen,” causing symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, and trouble breathing. In extreme cases, it can lead to collapse or death. Yet, despite these risks, the FDA continues to classify the chemical as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), allowing manufacturers to self-certify its use without rigorous oversight.
This loophole has dire consequences. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes that sodium nitrite is frequently added to processed meats to artificially preserve flavor and appearance, turning products like hot dogs and sausages into ticking time bombs for unsuspecting consumers. Even worse, concentrated forms of the chemical have been linked to youth suicides, prompting states like Washington to restrict sales.
The affected items—spanning brands such as As-Salaam, Honest John, and Beefland USA—include breakfast sausages, frankfurters, bologna, and salami, all produced between February 19 and April 24. Establishment numbers “EST. 4578” or “P-4578” appear on the packaging. While Smith Packing claims 90% of the tainted products never left their warehouse, approximately 34 customers received shipments.
Joe Schaeffer, a spokesperson for Palmer Foods (Smith Packing’s parent company), stated the firm acted swiftly: “Smith immediately shut down production, alerted the USDA, and determined the products contained an excessive amount of a curing agent.” Yet critics argue such recalls are reactive, not preventive, and that the industry’s reliance on toxic additives is a systemic failure.
The FSIS urges anyone who purchased these products to throw them away or return them. But the broader lesson is clear: processed meats—especially those loaded with nitrites—should be avoided altogether. Studies consistently link nitrite consumption to increased cancer risks, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.
This recall isn’t just about a manufacturing error; it’s a reminder that “safe” food standards are often inadequate. In many cases, terms like “natural” are marketing ploys, not guarantees of safety. Until regulators crack down on harmful additives, consumers must take charge of their health by rejecting processed foods in favor of fresh, organic alternatives. While recalls like this make headlines, the real scandal is that dangerous ingredients remain legal. Until that changes, buyer beware.
Sources for this article include:
Tagged Under:
clean food watch, Dangerous, disease causes, ingredients, Processed Meats, Recall, sodium nitrite, stop eating poison, toxins
This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author