FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Ground Chorizo Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

Product Contamination

EDITOR’S NOTE: FSIS updated the release the same day of issue to reflect product poundage. WASHINGTON, April 2, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for for approximately 39 pounds of raw ground chorizo sausage products due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard pieces of crystalline material. FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of the utmost of caution to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the products are no longer available for consumers to purchase. The fresh and frozen raw ground chorizo sausage items were produced on March 8, 2021 by Century Oak Packing Company, an establishment in Mt. Angel, Ore. The following product is subject to the public health alert: 1-lb. packages containing “Lonely Lane Farms Family Farm Since 1939 OREGON RAISED Chorizo Sausage” and product ID 21067-6. The products bear establishment number “EST. M40256” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were sold at a farmer’s market and also shipped to retail locations in Oregon. The problem was discovered when the firm received three consumer complaints reporting findings of hard pieces of crystalline material in the product. 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. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers or both. 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. Consumers with questions can contact Century Oak Packing at 503-845-4180. Members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact Evelyn Shop, Media and Communications Director at Century Oak Packing at (718) 772-2350. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov . For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/ .

• 1-lb. packages containing “Lonely Lane Farms Family Farm Since 1939 OREGON RAISED Chorizo Sausage” and product ID 21067-6.