DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (AP) — Sara Lee Corp. is recalling 27 brands of whole wheat bread products because they could contain small metal pieces, the company said Friday.

A recent routine inspection of a bakery in Meridian, Miss., uncovered problems with a flour-sifting screen, said company spokesman Mark Goldman.

The machine was ‘‘not up to our specification and raised the possibility some metal could have dislodged,’’ Goldman said.

The problem was isolated to the Meridian bakery, which continued production using bagged flour that did not require the sifting system, Goldman said.

“We haven’t heard anything about (the recall). We will check with our delivery manto see if we deal at all with the Meridian bakery,” Natchez Market Assistant Manager Fred Chapman said.

The recall involves EarthGrains, Publix, Sara Lee Delightful, Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious and several other brands that were stamped ‘‘best if purchased by’’ July 25, 2007, to Aug. 7, 2007, and included the code ‘‘222.’’

The products were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

Consumers can return the bread to the store where it was purchased for a refund, Downers Grove, Ill.-based Sara Lee said.

Sara Lee shares fell 3 cents to $16.15 in afternoon trading.