PHONY BOLOGNA? Allergy Alarm & RECALL!

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recalled over 143,000 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna after finding undeclared meat ingredients on product labels, warning consumers and foodservice providers to discard affected items immediately.

At a Glance

Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. recalled 143,416 pounds of bologna produced March 20–June 20, 2025.

Affected varieties included veal, turkey, chicken, and pork bolognas mislabeled with undisclosed proteins.

Products bear establishment number EST. 5385 inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The FSIS classified the action as a Class III recall, indicating a low risk of illness but serious labeling violations.

Consumers and institutions must dispose of or return recalled packages without delay.

Massive Bologna Misbranding Recall

Gaiser’s initiated the action after the USDA’s Office of Inspector General received a complaint, leading FSIS to confirm that seven bologna products contained meat and poultry ingredients not declared on their labels. Distributors and retailers nationwide have been instructed to remove all affected items from shelves. Food Safety News provides an in-depth breakdown of the mislabeled varieties and lot codes in its report on the recall here.

Watch a report: Massive Bologna Recall Explained

Varieties Affected and Consumer Guidance

Among the recalled products are “Family Tree Bologna Veal” containing undeclared pork, “Babushka’s Recipe Chicken Bologna” with unlisted beef, and “Fancy Bologna” that included both pork and poultry. FSIS urges anyone who purchased these bolognas to discard them or return them to the place of purchase. Foodservice operators should purge their inventories and contact Gaiser’s for assistance with tracing and effectiveness checks, as detailed in the official FSIS recall bulletin.

Next Steps for Industry Oversight

This incident highlights the critical need for accurate labeling and rigorous quality controls in meat processing. FSIS officials remind manufacturers and retailers that undeclared ingredients can pose severe risks to allergy sufferers and undermine consumer trust. Moving forward, industry stakeholders are expected to strengthen supplier audits, improve traceability systems, and implement more stringent label-verification procedures to prevent future misbranding incidents.