If you recently bought bologna, you may want to double-check your fridge or freezer. A new recall has been issued for more than 143,000 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna products. The reason? Mislabeling — and it is serious enough to trigger a nationwide warning.
Here is everything you need to know so you can stay safe and avoid serving the wrong thing at your next meal.
What is the reason for the bologna recall?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the problem is “misbranding.” That means the labels on these bologna products do not match what is actually inside the packaging.
More specifically, some of the meat products contain different types of meat than what is listed on the label — which could be a real danger for people with allergies or food sensitivities.
The FSIS explained, “The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of a complaint received through the OIG’s hotline.” After investigating, they found that several bologna products had undeclared ingredients like pork, beef, and chicken.
What products are included in the bologna recall?
The affected products were made by Gaiser’s European Style Provision Inc. between March 20, 2025, and June 20, 2025. They were sold nationwide to retailers and wholesalers.
Here is the full list of bologna products involved in the recall:
- Family Tree Bologna Veal (contains undeclared pork)
- Babushka’s Recipe Chicken Bologna (contains undeclared pork)
- Fancy Bologna (labeled with pork but contains undeclared beef and chicken)
- Gaiser’s Russian Brand Doktorskaya Bologna (contains undeclared beef)
- Gaiser’s Bologna Veal (contains undeclared chicken and pork)
- Gaiser’s Turkey Bologna (contains undeclared chicken and pork)
- Chicken Bologna Kypoyka Paba (contains undeclared pork)
The packages may look different depending on where you bought them, but they all have one thing in common: the establishment number “EST. 5385” inside the USDA inspection mark.
The FSIS also noted that “some products would have been weighed, wrapped, and labeled in retail store locations at the time of purchase.”
What should customers do if they bought these products?
If you have any of these products in your fridge or freezer, do not eat them. You have two options:
- Throw the product away safely
- Return it to the place where you bought it
Even though there have been no confirmed illnesses yet, it is always better to be safe — especially if you or someone in your household has allergies.
The FSIS said this is a Class III recall, which means the product is not likely to cause serious health issues. However, “anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider,” they advised.
Why food mislabeling matters for your health
Mislabeling meat may not sound like a big deal at first, but if you or a loved one is allergic to pork, beef, or chicken — it absolutely is.
The FDA lists nine “major” food allergens, and while meat is not officially one of them, many Americans still experience sensitivities to certain types of animal protein. Mislabeling also affects people who follow religious or dietary restrictions.
This recall is a good reminder of how important it is for food companies to clearly and accurately label everything we eat. And for you, the consumer, it is always worth checking the packaging and keeping up with the latest recalls.
