Lebanon Bologna Recall Lawsuit (Sep 2026 Update)

Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. of Palmyra, PA recalled about 23,000 pounds of Seltzer’s Beef Lebanon Bologna. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the Class I recall on March 22, 2011. The recall covered products with possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The affected packages carry establishment number EST. 474 and lot code 01351 or 06337. Consumers should not eat any of the recalled products. FSIS lists recall 025-2011 as Closed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 14 illnesses in five states and no deaths as of March 22, 2011. Anyone with symptoms should contact a health care provider.

Latest Lebanon Bologna Recall Updates

June 2, 2012: FSIS Lists the Recall as Closed

FSIS lists the recall as Closed. The header of the FSIS recall notice shows a posted date range of March 22, 2011 to June 2, 2012 [1]. The recalled Lebanon bologna carried the Seltzer’s brand name and was made by Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. FSIS lists 19 pounds of the recalled product as recovered. The recalled best-by dates all ran out in 2011.

March 23, 2011: CDC Posts Its Final Outbreak Update

On March 23, 2011, CDC posted its final update on the multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. As of March 22, 2011, the CDC announcement counted 14 illnesses in five states [2]. A CDC study conducted March 15 to 18, 2011 associated the illnesses with eating Lebanon bologna, according to the announcement. Reported illness onset dates ran from January 10, 2011 to February 15, 2011.

March 22, 2011: Palmyra Bologna Company Recalls Lebanon Bologna

Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. recalled about 23,000 pounds of Lebanon bologna, and FSIS announced the recall that day. FSIS lists it as Class I, rated High. The FSIS notice says the recalled products were produced in December 2010. It describes E. coli O157:H7 as a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure.

March 10, 2011: FSIS Is Notified of an Illness Investigation

FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses on March 10, 2011. By the March 22 notice, FSIS was working with CDC and state health partners on the investigation. In the recall notice, FSIS identified 4 case-patients in New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, fewer than CDC’s final count. Their illness onset dates were between January 28, 2011 and February 12, 2011.

What Is E. Coli?

According to CDC, E. coli are germs called bacteria found in the environment, foods, water and the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless, but some can make people sick [3]. CDC says infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. The 2011 Lebanon bologna outbreak involved the E. coli serotype O157:H7 strain.

Which Lebanon Bologna Products Are Affected?

The recall covered these Lebanon bologna items:

• 6-ounce packages with lot code 01351 and a best-by date of April 20, 2011
• 12-ounce packages with lot code 01351 and best-by dates of April 20, 2011 or April 21, 2011
• 16-ounce packages with lot code 01351 and a best-by date of April 22, 2011
• Whole chub packages with lot codes 01351 or 06337 and best-by dates of February 14, 2011, February 15, 2011, February 16, 2011 or February 28, 2011
• Half chub packages with lot codes 01351 or 06337 and best-by dates of April 6, 2011, April 7, 2011, April 16, 2011 or April 19, 2011
• 12-pound bulk boxes of sliced bologna with lot code 01351 and a best-by date of April 21, 2011

Every package bears a label with establishment number EST. 474 inside the USDA mark of inspection, in addition to the lot code and the best-by date noted above. FSIS says the products were sent to distribution centers in California, Colorado, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania for further distribution to retail stores, where some may have been sliced and repackaged.

Why Was Lebanon Bologna Recalled?

Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc. recalled the Lebanon bologna because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The FSIS compliance guideline on the outbreak does not name the company [4]. The guideline refers to the March 2011 recall. During the outbreak investigation, FSIS identified that inadequate validation of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system design may have led to the production of adulterated product. The guideline says the raw mix of the establishment identified in the outbreak was compacted in 52 to 119 mm diameter permeable casings in a large smokehouse. The supporting documentation it used described a 27 millimeter diameter impermeable sealed glass tube in a water bath. FSIS says the difference in diameter and casing type likely led to a lower reduction in pathogens in the actual process.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

CDC reported cases by state. Maryland had 3 cases, New Jersey 2 cases, North Carolina 1 case, Ohio 2 cases and Pennsylvania 6 cases. Among 13 ill persons with known information, 3 (23%) reported being hospitalized, and none reported HUS. No deaths have been reported. In the CDC study, 13 ill persons were compared with 21 persons of similar age with other illnesses. Ill persons (69%) were significantly more likely than controls (0%) to report eating Lebanon bologna. Four ill persons had purchased Seltzer Brand Lebanon bologna at four different grocery store locations in three states before becoming ill. FSIS determined there is a link between the Lebanon bologna products and the illnesses in the three states where FSIS identified case-patients. Reports are not proof that the product caused every illness. A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation.

What Should Consumers Do?

CDC and FSIS gave consumers these steps:

1. Do not eat the recalled Lebanon bologna.
2. Put the recalled products in a closed plastic bag and place it in a sealed trash can, so people or animals cannot eat them.
3. Call the company, Palmyra Bologna Company, Inc., at 1-800-282-6336 with questions about the recall.
4. Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday. You can also use the FSIS virtual representative “Ask Karen” at AskKaren.gov, available 24 hours a day.
5. Contact a health care provider if you have signs or symptoms of foodborne illness.
6. Seek emergency medical care immediately if you believe you are at risk for HUS.
7. Watch for HUS signs such as fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue and irritability.
8. Also watch for small unexplained bruises, bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination and swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Lebanon Bologna?

Lebanon bologna is a fermented, semi-dry sausage, according to FSIS. This beef product has an appearance similar to salami. CDC used the same wording in its 2011 outbreak announcement about the recalled product.

How Do I Know If I Have Eaten Recalled Lebanon Bologna?

To know whether you ate recalled Lebanon bologna, check any package for establishment number EST. 474 plus its lot number and best-by date. CDC says illnesses after March 2, 2011 might not have been reported yet.

What Are the Symptoms of E. Coli O157:H7 Infection?

The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include diarrhea, often bloody, and abdominal cramps. CDC says most people develop them 2 to 8 days after swallowing the organism, or 3 to 4 days on average. Most recover within a week, but some develop a severe infection.

Who Became Ill in the Lebanon Bologna Outbreak?

Ill persons in the Lebanon bologna outbreak ranged in age from 1 to 70 years, with a median age of 13.5 years, according to CDC. Also, 79% of them were male.

Did FSIS Issue Guidance After the Lebanon Bologna Recall?

Yes, FSIS issued a compliance guideline for Lebanon bologna processors in January 2013, so they know how to meet its expectations. Inspection personnel were also instructed to hold awareness meetings with Lebanon bologna producers in May 2012, under Notice 36-12.

Can Restaurants Serve Products from the Lebanon Bologna Recall?

No, restaurants and food service operators should not serve products from the Lebanon bologna recall, according to CDC. CDC also says retailers and others who have any of the recalled products should dispose of them.

References

1. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/pennsylvania-firm-recalls-lebanon-bologna-products-due-possible-e.-coli-o157h7
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20120101222924/http://www.cdc.gov:80/ecoli/2011/O157_0311/index.html
3. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html
4. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/import/Compliance_Guideline_Lebanon_Bologna.pdf