Smithfield Packaged Meats, doing business as Stefano Foods of Charlotte, North Carolina, is recalling about 24,048 pounds of pepperoni five cheese calzone that may be contaminated with foreign materials. Hard, sharp, clear pieces of plastic were found in the products. One consumer reported receiving a small oral laceration while eating the calzone.
These pepperoni calzones were produced on May 23, 2018. The recalled product is 8 ounce deli trays of “Stefano’s Calzone PEPPERONI FIVE CHEESE STUFFED WITH PEPPERONI AND A FIVE CHEESE BLEND,” with “Lot Code 14318B” on the individual packages and “USE BY DATE 1/18/2019” on the product cases. These products have the establishment number “EST. M-19140” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product was shipped to retail stores nationwide. The products are not fully cooked.
The problem was discovered after several consumers contacted Stefano Foods about the problem. The company notified USDA on July 16, 2018.
FSIS is concerned that some of this product may be frozen and in consumers’ and retailers’ freezers. If you purchased this product, do not eat it because you may be injured by the foreign material. Throw it away or take it back to the store where you bought it for a full refund.
FSIS is going to conducts recall effectiveness checks to make sure that the firm notified companies of this recall, and that steps are taken to make sure that the product is no longer available for purchase. If a retail distribution list is available or is issued, the government will post it. If you are concerned about an injury after eating this product, contact your healthcare provider.