WASHINGTON – BEF Foods Inc., Columbus, Ohio, recalled more than 1.7 million lbs. of Bob Evans Maple Links and Maple Patties because of undeclared monosodium glutamate (MSG). The items were produced at facilities in Hillsdale, Mich. and Xenia, Ohio.

The products were produced between April 4 and Oct. 19, 2012, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). BEF Foods discovered the problem during a label audit, FSIS said. The company had reformulated its products and stopped using a spice blend containing MSG and removed MSG from the ingredient list on the product label. However, the label audit revealed that individual establishments were still using a spice blend containing MSG.

USDA does not classify MSG as an allergen, but it can cause a reaction in people with a sensitivity to MSG. There have been no reports made to FSIS or the company regarding adverse reactions due to consumption of the sausage products, the agency said.

The products subject to recall include:

• 12-oz. packages of “Bob Evans Maple Links” with UPC numbers of “075900002300”, “075900000085” and “075900002324.”

• 12-oz. packages of “Bob Evans Maple Patties” with UPC numbers of “0759000025028” and “075900000795” and “075900002522.”

The affected items will have the establishment number “M-952” or “M-6785” printed on the side of the package. Product purchased fresh will have a use-by date between Oct. 14, 2012 and Dec. 4, 2012 listed. Frozen products may be identified by any of the following Julian codes: 0264 through 0365, 1001 through 1365, and 2001 through 2293.