Frozen Chicken Recalled
Hormel Foods has recalled nearly five million pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken after reports of potential metal fragments being found in the product. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classified the recall as a Class I, the most serious category, which applies when a product could cause serious health consequences or death if consumed.
What’s Being Recalled
The recall affects about 4.9 million pounds of Hormel Fire Braised frozen chicken breast and thigh meat. The affected products were distributed to restaurants, hotels, and food service providers between February 10 and September 19, 2025. These items were not sold directly to consumers in grocery stores. According to Hormel, the contamination was traced back to a conveyor belt in the production line that introduced small metal pieces into the chicken during processing. While there have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness, the FSIS warns that swallowing metal fragments can cause serious internal injuries, choking, or damage to teeth.
Affected Product Details
The recalled chicken products were shipped under the establishment number P-223, which can be found within the USDA inspection mark on the case packaging. Five specific product codes are included in the recall:
65009: Fire Braised Boneless Chicken Thigh Meat, 13.9 lb case
77531: Fire Braised Boneless Chicken Breast (3 oz portions), 13.8 lb case
46750: Fire Braised Boneless Chicken Breast (4 oz portions), 13.8 lb case
86206: Fire Braised Boneless Chicken Breast (5 oz portions), 23.8 lb case
134394: Boneless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat, 13.95 lb case
Why It Matters
Metal contamination in food poses serious safety risks. If ingested, even tiny fragments can cause internal lacerations, bleeding, or choking. FSIS’s decision to categorize this recall as Class I highlights the potential danger to the public. Even though these products were not sold in grocery stores, they may have been used in restaurants or cafeterias nationwide, raising concerns about indirect consumer exposure.
What Food Operators Should Do
Food service operators are instructed to immediately stop using any affected products, discard all recalled inventory, and check storage areas for the listed item numbers. Hormel and FSIS have begun recall effectiveness checks to confirm that all affected food has been removed from circulation. Operators should also inform kitchen staff and employees to remain alert for recalled items and contact Hormel or the USDA if they have questions.
What Consumers Should Know
While the recalled chicken was not available for retail purchase, it may have been served in restaurants, hotels, or institutions. Consumers who believe they may have eaten contaminated chicken should monitor for symptoms such as throat pain, bleeding, or difficulty swallowing and seek medical attention if needed. Hormel has set up a hotline for questions related to the recall. Consumers and businesses can contact the company at 1-800-523-4635 or visit their website for more details.
The Bottom Line
This massive recall highlights how even minor equipment failures can have major food safety implications. Hormel’s quick response likely prevented harm, but the incident underscores the need for constant vigilance in food production. Although the affected chicken was not sold in grocery stores, the recall serves as a reminder that contamination risks can appear anywhere in the supply chain—and that oversight remains critical to public safety.
