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Hormel Foods Corporation issued a recall approximately 4,874,815 pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products because these products contain possible metal contamination. The recalled ready-to-eat frozen chicken products include boneless chicken breasts and thighs which were sent to food service establishments across the United States and the metal fragments are thought to come from a conveyor belt .

Hormel Foods Recalls Ready-to-Eat Frozen Chicken Products in the United States Over Metal Contamination Risk

Recall Nov 29, 2025

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Category of the product: Ready to Eat Frozen Chicken

Type of the product: Food

Announcement date: Washington, October 25, 2025

Reason for announcement: Product contains metal contamination

Hormel Foods Corporation issued a recall approximately 4,874,815 pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products because these products contain possible metal contamination. The recalled ready-to-eat frozen chicken products include boneless chicken breasts and thighs which were sent to food service establishments across the United States and the metal fragments are thought to come from a conveyor belt .[1]

Reason for warning:

Hormel Foods Corporation initiated this recall because their ready-to-eat frozen chicken products contain foreign substances including plastic and other unexpected materials. The consumption of these products poses a risk for physical harm and choking and other health risks. The company initiated this recall to safeguard consumers through market removal of potentially hazardous products.[2]

Customer complaints: The discovery of metal contamination in chicken products occurred when multiple foodservice customers reported finding metal fragments in their chicken products.

Root Cause Analysis:

  • Origin of contamination: The production line conveyor belt became the source of metal contamination that entered the food products.
  • Company action: The company launched an internal investigation after receiving customer complaints which revealed the conveyor belt as the origin of metal contamination.

Product description:

Product Name

Item Code

Package Size

Establishment Number

Distribution Period

Market

Hormel Fire Braised Meats All-Natural Boneless Chicken Breast

77531, 86206, 46750

23.8-lb. cases

P-223

Feb 10 – Sep 19, 2025

Foodservice (HRI)

Hormel Fire Braised Meats All-Natural Boneless Chicken Thigh Meat

65009

13.9-lb. cases

P-223

Feb 10 – Sep 19, 2025

Foodservice (HRI)

Issue identified:

The discovery of metal in chicken products led to the identification of the problem when customers from the food service department started complaining. The boneless chicken thighs and breasts distributed to hotels and restaurants are under recall because no injuries or illnesses have been reported so far.

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) warnings:

Hormel Foods is recalling its ready-to-eat frozen chicken items on a voluntary basis due to potential metal pieces being in the products, which may cause injury if consumed. The warning is coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Consumer Guidance:

  • Do not consume the recalled frozen chicken products. Check packaging for affected names and item codes. Discard or return any impacted products. For inquiries regarding refunds or replacements, contact Hormel Foods. If you suspect ingestion of contaminated products leading to injury or discomfort, seek medical attention.
  • If consumers have questions about the recall, they may contact Hormel Foods Customer Relations via the website or by calling 1-800-523-4635. The media may contact media@hormel.com.
  • If consumers have questions about food safety, they can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question to MPHotline@usda.gov. Consumers wishing to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product can access the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

FRL Commentary:

The recall by Hormel Foods illustrates the need for diligent quality control and supplier oversight in the food sector. Manufacturers must conduct comprehensive end-product testing and supervise the supply chain to mitigate contamination hazards. Regulatory authorities, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) programs, and independent testing laboratories perform a necessary function in promoting public health by ensuring that ready-to-eat products are safe to consume and do not contain foreign substances.

Hormel Foods Recalls Ready-to-Eat Frozen Chicken image

FDA Warning about the product:

New Hoque & Sons Inc. has issued an alert about its raw “Dry Ghoinnya Fish” because of a possible food safety issue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a warning about fish products that lack evisceration processing because they create contamination risks. The company has started a product recall while customers need to follow all safety guidelines.

Conclusion:

The recall of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products by Hormel Foods Corporation because of potential foreign matter contamination underscores the need for vigilant quality control, supplier oversight, and compliance with regulations within the food industry. Consumers are encouraged to check for affected products and refrain from consumption for their safety. To know more food recall visit Food Research Lab.

Reference:

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