Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. is now recalling over 143,000 pounds of bologna products nationwide after investigations revealed they contain proteins like pork and beef that aren’t declared on the packaging labels.
Key Takeaways
- Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. has recalled 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna products due to misbranding and undeclared meat ingredients.
- Products were produced between March 20, 2025, and June 20, 2025, and distributed nationwide with establishment number “EST. 5385”.
- Multiple product varieties contain undeclared meats – including “veal” bologna containing pork and “turkey” bologna containing chicken and pork.
- The recall was triggered by a complaint to the Office of Inspector General, though no adverse health reactions have been reported.
- Consumers are advised to return or dispose of affected products and not consume them.
Widespread Product Misbranding Prompts Major Recall
In a significant food safety announcement that affects consumers across the nation, Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. based in Union, New Jersey, has initiated a massive recall of ready-to-eat bologna products. The recall encompasses over 143,000 pounds of product due to serious misbranding issues and the presence of undeclared meat ingredients. This action comes after federal inspectors discovered multiple product varieties contained proteins that weren’t disclosed on their labels, raising concerns about consumer transparency and potential allergic reactions for those with specific dietary restrictions.
“Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. of Union, NJ, is recalling 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna because of misbranding, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today,” according to FSIS.
Extensive Product List Affected
The scope of this recall is particularly concerning as it affects numerous product varieties that consumers have purchased over a three-month period. Products recalled were manufactured between March 20, 2025, and June 20, 2025, and bear the establishment number “EST. 5385” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The affected items include “FAMILY TREE BOLOGNA VEAL” which contains undeclared pork, “BABUSHKA’S RECIPE CHICKEN BOLOGNA” containing undeclared pork, “FANCY BOLOGNA” with undeclared beef and chicken, and several other varieties with similar mislabeling issues.
“Gaiser’s European Style Provisions Inc. is recalling over 143,000 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna products due to \”misbranding,\” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Friday,” according to FSIS.
Perhaps most troubling is that products marketed as being made from specific meats actually contained entirely different proteins. For example, “GAISERS BOLOGNA VEAL” contains undeclared chicken and pork, while “GAISERS TURKEY BOLOGNA” contains undeclared chicken and pork. The widespread nature of these mislabeling issues raises serious questions about quality control measures at the manufacturing facility and the integrity of product labeling across the food supply chain.
Consumer Risk and Response
Federal authorities are particularly concerned about products that may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. These mislabeled products could pose serious health risks to individuals with specific allergies or religious dietary restrictions. While the FSIS has classified this as a Class III recall, indicating a low health risk situation where adverse health consequences are not likely, the agency is still advising consumers and institutions to take immediate action regarding any potentially affected products.
“Some products would have been weighed, wrapped, and labeled in retail store locations at the time of purchase,\” the FSIS says, adding later that the department is concerned people may have the recalled products in their freezers or refrigerators,” according to FSIS.
The discovery of these mislabeled products came through an unusual channel – a complaint submitted to the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) hotline. Following this tip, FSIS investigators conducted a thorough review of the products and confirmed the presence of undisclosed meat ingredients. For consumers with questions about the recall, the company has established a dedicated contact line with Steven Shuchinski available at 908-686-3421 or via email at [email protected].
Regulatory Oversight Questions
This extensive recall raises legitimate questions about regulatory oversight in the meat processing industry. How did so many products with incorrect labeling make it through quality control processes and into the nationwide distribution chain? The fact that the issue was only discovered after a complaint to the Inspector General’s office, rather than through routine inspection processes, suggests potential gaps in our food safety monitoring systems that need to be addressed.
“The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of a complaint received through the OIG’s hotline. FSIS investigated the complaint and determined that the products contained source materials that were not declared on the label,” according to FSIS.
Consumers who have purchased these products are strongly advised not to consume them. Instead, they should either return the products to the place of purchase or dispose of them immediately. While no adverse health reactions have been reported to date, anyone concerned about a potential reaction should contact their healthcare provider promptly. As this situation continues to develop, additional information may become available through the USDA’s official channels.
