Shanghai Ravioli Corporation recalled approximately 24,900 pounds of buffalo chicken products on Aug. 26 after the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service determined the items were produced without federal inspection, the agency announced.
FSIS classified the recall as Class I, its highest risk category, meaning there is a reasonable probability that consumption of the products could cause serious adverse health consequences, according to the agency.
The affected products were distributed across New England states. FSIS is conducting active outreach to retailers and distributors to pull the products from sale, the agency said.
Products produced without USDA inspection bypass the safety checks required for commercially sold meat and poultry in the United States. Federal inspection ensures that slaughter, processing, and packaging meet food safety standards designed to prevent contamination with harmful bacteria and other hazards.
For consumers in the affected states, FSIS urged anyone who purchased buffalo chicken products from Shanghai Ravioli Corporation to check packaging and avoid consuming the recalled items. Consumers with questions can contact the FSIS recall hotline.
The Class I designation is the most serious recall classification FSIS assigns. Products that evade federal inspection are automatically treated as high-risk because there is no way to verify that basic food safety protocols were followed during production.
The recall covers ready-to-eat buffalo chicken products, meaning they may be consumed without further cooking, which increases the risk if contamination is present.