Tampering after production led to the recall of about 190,000 pounds of Duke’s Smoked Shorty Sausages.

The ready-to-eat pork products “may be adulterated due to possible product contamination,” the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said in the recall announcement. The agency did not explain further.

The problem was discovered on March 11 when “the establishment confirmed that the product was distributed into U.S. commerce,” FSIS says. The shelf-stable sausages in plastic pouches were shipped to stores nationwide.

At the time of the announcement, there were no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from eating the sausages. However, the government deemed the recall a high health risk with a Class 1 designation for “reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

The recalled items, made on various dates between Jan. 16 and March 7, are:

  • 16-ounce Duke’s Original Recipe Smoked Shorty Sausages with a package code of 1601201182, a case code of 1580002130, and various best by dates from Jan. 11, 2020, through Feb. 27, 2020. Also 5-ounce pouches with a product and case code of 1601201051 and various best by dates from Feb. 14, 2020, through Feb. 29, 2020, and 5-ounces packages with a package code of 1601201051, a case code of 1601201272, and various best by dates from Feb. 17, 2020, through March 1, 2020.
  • 5-ounce Duke’s Hickory Peach BBQ Smoked Shorty Sausages with a package and case code of 1580002003 and various best by dates from Jan. 16, 2019, through Jan. 27, 2020.
  • 5-ounce Duke’s Hot & Spicy Smoked Shorty Sausages with a package and case code of 1601201052 and various best by dates from Jan. 16, 2020, through Feb. 3, 2020. Also 5-ounce pouches with a package code of 1601201052, a case code of 1601201274, and various best by dates from Jan. 16, 2020, through Feb. 24, 2020.
  • 5-ounce Duke’s Cajun Style Andouille Smoked Shorty Sausages with a package and case code of 1580002073 and various best by dates from Jan. 10, 2020, through Feb. 13, 2020.
  • 5-ounce Duke’s Hatch Green Chile Smoked Shorty Sausages with a package and case code of 1580002002 and various best by dates from Jan. 13, 2020, through Feb. 3, 2020.

The products have the establishment number “Est. 795” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

People should not eat the sausages, instead trashing them or returning them to the store.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Gary Brooks, vice president of food safety quality assurance for Monogram Foods, at 855-556-1351.