Massive recall on chicken due to hazardous material that can slice throats
In this DML Report…
Hormel Foods Corporation, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), announced a voluntary recall on October 25, 2025, for approximately 4.87 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products potentially contaminated with metal fragments. The recall was initiated after multiple customer complaints reported finding metal pieces in frozen chicken breasts and thighs, with the contamination traced to a conveyor belt used in production. The affected products, part of the Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken line, were manufactured between February 10, 2025, and September 19, 2025, and distributed nationwide primarily to large-scale buyers such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and schools through Hormel Foods Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) Commercial Food Services. Businesses are advised to discard the products immediately and not serve them, as some may still be stored in freezers. No injuries or adverse events have been reported to date.
The recalled items include 13.9-pound cases of Boneless Chicken Thigh Meat (item code 65009), 13.8-pound cases of three-ounce Boneless Chicken Breast pieces (item code 77531), 13.8-pound cases of four-ounce Boneless Chicken Breast pieces (item code 46750), 23.8-pound cases of five-ounce Boneless Chicken Breast pieces (item code 86206), and 13.95-pound cases of Boneless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat (item code 134394). These products bear the establishment number P-223 inside the USDA mark of inspection and were produced on dozens of specific dates throughout 2025, including 75 dates for thigh meat and nearly 60 dates for four-ounce breast pieces between February and September.
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Consumption of metal fragments poses risks such as choking, cuts to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract, internal bleeding, organ impalement, bacterial infections from perforations, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or digestive blockages, potentially requiring medical intervention. For inquiries, contact Hormel Foods Customer Relations at 1-800-523-4635 or via their website, or reach the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.