WASHINGTON — After federal inspectors discovered excessive amounts of sodium nitrite in formulations used to produce dry cured pork and beef bacon products at Farmstead Butcher Block, based in Central City, Ky., the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert to warn against consuming the not-ready-to-eat products. Because the products are no longer for sale, a recall of the products was not required.

The items affected were produced between April 12, 2024, and May 31, 2024, and include:

  • Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD LOCAL HOUSE SMOKED BACON,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
  • Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD BUTCHER BLOCK BUCK BOARD BACON,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
  • Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD BUTCHER BLOCK PORK JOWL WHOLE HOUSE SMOKED,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
  • Packages purchased by weight at the retail counter containing “FARMSTEAD BUTCHER BLOCK HOUSE SMOKED BEEF BACON,” bearing sell by dates MAY.2.24 through JUN.27.24.
  • Approximately 1-lb packages containing “Clark Farms Smoked Pork Jowl Bacon,” bearing lot code H130RH.
  • Approximately 1-lb packages containing “Clark Farms Smoked Pork Bacon,” bearing lot code H130RH.
  • Approximately 1-lb packages containing “Clark Farms Smoked Pork Shoulder Bacon,” bearing lot code H130RH.
  • Approximately 1-lb packages containing “Farmstead Butcher Block Smoked Pork Jowl Bacon,” bearing lot code H81AB.
  • Approximately 1-lb packages containing “Farmstead Butcher Block Smoked Pork Bacon,” bearing lot code H81AB.
  • Approximately 1-lb packages containing “Southwinds Cattle Company Smoked Beef Belly Bacon,” bearing lot code B237AB.

Some of the products were shipped to farmers markets and farm stores in Kentucky and Tennessee in addition to those sold direct to consumers and others purchased by customers at Farmstead Butcher Block’s retail store.  Some of the products that are subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 47852” inside the USDA mark of inspection, while others were produced under a custom exemption and therefore do not bear the USDA mark of inspection.

There have been no reported cases of illness resulting from the consumption of the products.