NEW YORK, NY – Hormel Foods Corporation has recalled 4.8 million pounds of frozen chicken products distributed nationwide after multiple customers discovered pieces of metal in the food, federal authorities announced.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the recall order for ready-to-eat frozen chicken breasts and thighs that may have been contaminated with metal fragments. The products were distributed to hotel and restaurant supply stores across the country.
Hormel, the company known for popular brands including Skippy, Spam and Planters, determined that a conveyor belt used in the production process was the source of the contamination after receiving multiple complaints from foodservice customers.
The affected chicken products were distributed nationwide from Feb. 15 to Sept. 19, creating concerns that large quantities may still be stored in commercial freezers at hotels, restaurants and institutional facilities.
The FSIS expressed particular concern that some of the recalled products remain in storage at foodservice locations rather than consumer homes, potentially affecting a wide range of dining establishments nationwide.
Hormel has provided a complete list of recalled products on its website and established a contact page for questions related to the recall. The company is working with federal inspectors to ensure all contaminated products are removed from distribution channels.
No injuries related to the metal contamination have been publicly reported, though the discovery of foreign matter in food products poses serious health risks including choking hazards and internal injuries.
Federal food safety officials are urging restaurants, hotels and institutional kitchens to check their inventories for the recalled chicken products and dispose of them immediately. Businesses with questions about whether their products are affected should consult Hormel’s recall information or contact the company directly.
The recall represents one of the larger foodservice recalls in recent months, highlighting the vulnerability of commercial food supply chains to manufacturing defects. Regular inspections and quality control measures are designed to prevent such contamination, but equipment failures can occasionally compromise food safety.
