Bacon lovers, beware. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has posted a notice alerting the public of a Class I recall of select bacon products. Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened?
Last Friday, the FSIS published a recall notice involving select Not Ready-To-Eat (NRTE) bacon products produced by Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s largest consumer-packaged meats companies. More than 12,000 pounds of NRTE bacon products are included in the recall.
This recall, though, isn’t being done because of any known issue with the bacon itself. Rather, the recall has been initiated because the bacon products were imported into the U.S. from Canada without undergoing an import re-inspection.
Import re-inspections are mandated by federal law and serve as a last line of defense to ensure that a food product entering the United States is safe for consumption.
During an import inspection, not only are a food item’s papers checked, but also the details of its packaging, to ensure it has all the required marks and warnings.
Additionally, import re-inspections can also include physical examinations of the product and laboratory testing.
Because the bacon products did not undergo import re-inspection, the FSIS designated the recall as a Class I recall, the most serious level.
Reached for comment by Fast Company, a Maple Leaf Foods spokesperson said “the issue is simply one of lack of paperwork review at the border” and that “the product itself will not cause human Illness.”
What is a Class I recall?
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classifies recalls into three tiers: Class I, Class II, and Class III.
A Class I recall is the most serious and is one in which the FSIS says it “involves a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
However, it’s important to note that, for now, there are no reports of issues with the recalled bacon itself, such as bacterial contamination, that could cause severe health consequences.
Rather, when a food product enters America without import re-inspection, the FSIS assumes the worst about the product (because its safety cannot be verified) and thus classifies the recall as a Class I recall by default.
The recall notice posted by the FSIS states that “There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury due to consumption of these products.”
What bacon products are being recalled?
The recall notice states that the following NRTE refrigerated smoked bacon products that were produced on June 9, June 10, June 12, June 13, and June 15 of 2026 are being recalled:
- 12-oz vacuum package of “Royale Natural Applewood Smoked ALL NATURAL Uncured Bacon Product of Canada” with sell by dates of “SEP 01 2026” and “SEP 07 2026” printed on the side of the package
- 12-oz vacuum package of “TOP VALU Uncured Hardwood Smoked Bacon PRODUCT OF CANADA” with various sell by dates of “SEP 01 2026”, “SEP 02 2026”, “SEP 04 2026”, “SEP 05 2026”, and “SEP 07 2026” printed on the side of the package
The notice says that the recalled products have the Canadian establishment number “EST. 1” printed on the side of the products’ packaging.
Images of the recalled products are available here.
Where were the recalled products sold?
According to the recall notice, the recalled products were sold at Grocery Outlet distributors and retailers in the following states:
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Washington
What should I do if I have the recalled bacon?
It’s a good idea to check your fridges and freezers to see if you have the recalled bacon.
If you do, the FSIS says that you should not consume it. Instead, you should throw the product away or return it to its place of purchase.
Full details of the recall can be found here.