Why Bob Evans Just Recalled Over 7,500 Pounds Of Sausage
Three of the major causes of food recalls, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, are undeclared allergens like peanuts or milk, foodborne pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli, and foreign objects in the product that aren't supposed to be there.
The latter instances can be related to a failure by workers to observe established procedures or extended machine use that can result in small pieces breaking off, the CRB Group explains. About 9% of 2021 food recalls resulted from "foreign material contamination," notes the Public Interest Network, and the most frequently found contaminants include plastic, metal, glass, and rubber.
The recent Bob Evans Farm Foods recall of 7,560 pounds of sausage from supermarkets and stores across the U.S. happened because of foreign object contamination, confirms the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, to date no one has reported sickness, choking, or any other medical issues, and only one product was specifically affected: 1-pound packages of Bob Evans Italian pork sausage.
What to do if you've bought recalled Bob Evans sausage
In the case of the Bob Evans recall, rubber is the culprit. According to the FSIS, Bob Evans logged complaints about bits of "thin blue rubber" being found in its Italian pork sausage, thus necessitating the product recall.
If you believe you may have purchased one of the packages of Bob Evans sausage affected by this recall, there are several easy ways to find out. The FSIS reports that all of the recalled products have the same use-by date (November 26, 2022), the same lot number (XEN3663466), and the same establishment number (Est. 6785). If you find this product in your home, the FSIS recommends tossing it in the trash or taking it back to the store where you bought it.
This is one of several large meat-based recalls that have occurred in recent months. Nearly 120,000 pounds of P.F. Chang's home menu beef and broccoli were recalled in August, as were over 13,000 pounds of Chicago's premium sausage classic pizza from Home Run Inn. The frozen sausage pizza recall, like the recent Bob Evans recall, was caused by foreign object contamination, notes the FSIS.