WASHINGTON — Smithfield Packaged Meats is recalling nearly 11,000 pounds of Margherita Pepperoni over possible bacterial contamination.

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According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the unsliced, ready-to-eat pepperoni, sold under the Margherita Meats brand, may contain Bacillus cereus, “a toxin-producing microorganism that causes diarrhea and vomiting in people.” The Department of Defense discovered the bacteria during routine product testing, the recall alert said.

The pepperoni, which was produced on June 17, was sold in 8-ounce plastic, shrink-wrapped packages labeled “Margherita Pepperoni,” the FSIS said. The products are labeled with lot code P1931C, establishment No. EST. 19 and a “use-by” date of Dec. 14, according to the alert.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries or refrigerators,” the alert said. “Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

The company has not received any confirmed reports of illnesses caused by the recalled products, the FSIS said.

Anyone with questions about the recall should call Margherita at 844-342-2596, according to the alert.

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