Chicago’s Vienna Beef Ltd. of Chicago recalled approximately 49,600 pounds of fully cooked mini pretzel dog products over the weekend, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

FSIS said the products were previously recalled in Notification Report # RC-015-2010. The latest recall reflects a determination by FSIS that a change in status from a Class III to a Class II recall was warranted due to a lack of inspection. No new products are included in today’s action.

The products subject to recall include:

-16-ounce bags of “VIENNA Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs.” Each package bears a sell-by date ranging from February 2, 2010 to July 1, 2010.

-32-ounce bags of “VIENNA Beef Mini Pretzel Dogs.” Each package bears a sell-by date ranging from May 31, 2010 to October 24, 2010.

The products were produced between December 2, 2009, and April 30, 2010, and were distributed at the retail level in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered by FSIS as part of routine surveillance of products in commerce. FSIS is taking this action due to a lack of inspection. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products and FSIS has determined that the food safety risk associated with the product is remote. Anyone concerned about an illness or allergic reaction should contact a physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

This was the thirty-first major meat recall of 2010.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Vienna’s Senior Vice President Jack Bodman at (773) 435-2317.