Recall: Jalapeno Cheddar 14 oz. Smoked Sausage Links

Johnsonville has initiated a class 1 voluntary recall of one of our fully cooked sausage products – Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage – because it may contain pieces of plastic.

There has been one reported incident and fortunately no injuries or illness occurred. But the plastic piece was large enough to be a choking hazard and we don’t think one can be overly vigilant when it comes to protecting the health and safety of our consumers. Because this affected product may still be in the market, we’ve informed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) that we’ll conduct a voluntary recall. The affected product is the 14 oz. package that contains the following three pieces of information (found on the maroon-colored package):

• “Best By” date of 06/09/2019 (found on back size along zipper closure);

• Package UPC code: 0-77782-02171-4 (found in the lower right under the black/white bar code);

• An “EST 34224” number (found on the package’s front side, lower right corner).

The Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage links were shipped to retailers in 28 states.

We’ve communicated with our retail partners to remove the affected product from stores immediately. Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged not to consume them. Consumers who have additional questions can call or text our Consumer Relations team at 888-556-2728 or complete a brief form in the “Contact Us” section of Johnsonville.com.

FAQs:

Q: What is this recall?

A: Johnsonville’s ready-to-eat Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausages are involved in a voluntary product recall, due to potential inclusion of plastic pieces. There has been one reported incident, and fortunately no reports of injuries or illness. But we take no chances when it comes to protecting our consumers’ health and safety.

Q: Are all Johnsonville ready-to-eat (or smoked sausage) products affected by this recall?

A: No. Only the 14 oz. Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage that includes the following three pieces of information:

-“Best By” date of 06/09/2019 (found on back size along zipper closure);

-Package UPC code: 0-77782-02171-4 (found in the lower right under the black/white bar code)

-An “EST 34224” number (found on the package’s front side, lower right corner).

**NOTE: This affected product is packaged in the maroon packaging with the above information. If you’ve recently purchased a Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage in red-white-blue seasonal packaging, that is safe to consume.

Q: Where has this product been distributed?

A: We have identified that this product was shipped to retail stores in 28 states:

AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, WI, WY

Q: Have the retailers been notified?

A: Yes, Johnsonville has informed its retail customers in these states about the single product that is affected by the recall. We have asked them to remove this particular product if it is marked with:

-“Best By” date of 06/09/2019;

-And contains the case UPC code: 0077782021711

Q: How do I know if I’ve purchased the product being recalled?

A: If you have purchased the 14 oz. ready-to-eat Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage in the maroon packaging that also has these three pieces of information on the packaging, the product is part of the recall and should not be consumed:

-“Best By” date of 06/09/2019 (found on back size along zipper closure);

-Package UPC code: 0-77782-02171-4 (found in the lower right under the black/white bar code);

-An “EST 34224” on the package’s front side, lower right corner.

Q: I have product affected by the recall. Now what?

A: If you have this affected product in hand, you have a few options:

1) You can return the affected product to the retailer where you purchased it for a full refund.

2) You can contact Johnsonville’s Consumer Affairs team via text or phone at1-888-556-2728. We ask that you share a photo of the product packaging with the “Best By” date to confirm the product was included in the recall. Johnsonville will then issue coupons for the full retail value or, if you prefer, a check for the full retail value. No receipt is necessary.

Please contact Johnsonville by calling or texting 1-888-556-2728 or complete a brief form in the “Contact Us” section of Johnsonville.com: http://www.johnsonville.com/contact.html

Q: What if I may have consumed this product involved in the recall?

A: There have been no reported cases of illness or injury from eating the recalled product. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Q: Then why is a recall being issued?

A: The plastic found in the single incident was large enough that it could be a choking hazard, so we take no chances when it comes to protecting our consumers’ health and safety. Because this affected product may still be in the market, the voluntary recall was initiated.

Q: How do I get in touch with Johnsonville?

A: Please contact Johnsonville by calling or texting 1-888-556-2728 or complete a brief form in the “Contact Us” section of Johnsonville.com: http://www.johnsonville.com/contact.html

Q: How do I know that any other Johnsonville Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage I see on the shelves is OK to purchase and consume?

A: We’re working with all affected retailers to ensure the recalled product featuring this “Best By” date is removed from store shelves immediately. However, we encourage consumers who purchase the fully cooked Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage to check the “Best By” date on the package along with the above-mentioned information, to ensure that you’ve not purchased an affected product. If you have a package that’s in the red-white-blue packaging, that’s safe to consume.