WASHINGTON – Thomasville, NC-based Shuler Meats is recalling approximately 25,920 lbs. of smoked turkey legs that were reconditioned without inspection by the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The fully cooked turkey legs were produced from Nov. 24, 2014, through May 4, 2015. The following products are subject to recall:


• 648 - 40 lb. (approximate weight) plastic-lined cardboard boxes containing frozen turkey legs with the labels: “Shuler Meats Co.” and “Belmont Meats Co.”

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-21309” on the Belmont Meats Co. boxes, and “M-40367” on the Shuler Meats Co. label. These items were distributed to fairs and retailers in North Carolina.

The problem was discovered when staff from the North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture notified FSIS personnel of the issue.

In a related matter, Los Angeles-based Rustico Foods is recalling approximately 2,659 lbs. of packaged soup products that were produced without FSIS inspection. The ready-to-eat soups were produced from Sept. 24, 2015, through Oct. 21, 2015. The following products are subject to recall:

• 2-lb. individual plastic container of soup labeled “CHICKEN MATZO BALL.”
• 1.6-lb. individual plastic container of soup labeled “CHICKEN MATZO BALL.”
• 1.6-lb. individual plastic container of soup labeled “TURKEY CHILI WITH BEANS.”
• 1.6-lb. individual plastic container of soup labeled “CHICKEN VEGETABLE.”

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-45180” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They also bear lot codes “Lot #2662015” through “Lot #2942015” on the bottom of the container and “Best By 10/21/15” through “Best By 11/18/15” stickers on the sides of the container. These items were shipped to retail establishments in southern California.

The problem was discovered when an FSIS consumer safety inspector identified return products that he did not have knowledge of being produced. An FSIS enforcement investigations and analysis officer then visited the establishment and determined that the establishment also produced some products outside of its approved hours of inspection.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products from Shuler Meats and Rustico Foods. Consumers who have purchased them are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.