Nearly five million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken have been recalled over fears that the poultry has been contaminated with shards of metal.
Hormel Foods Corporation and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on October 25.
The urgent recall was triggered after several complaints from customers finding pieces of metal in their frozen breasts and thighs.
Hormel Foods revealed that the contamination was traced to a conveyor belt used in the production of the company’s Fire Braised products.
Consuming metal fragments could cause several health risks, such as choking and cuts in the mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
Sharp or jagged pieces may even lead to internal bleeding or organs such as the stomach or intestines being impaled.
The 4.87 million pounds of chicken affected were distributed nationwide between February 10 and September 19.
Although no injuries have been reported, FSIS noted that they’re concerned that some of the chicken may be sitting in the freezers of many large businesses that order in bulk from Hormel.
Hormel Foods Corporation and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have recalled nearly five million pounds of ready to eat frozen chicken
The recalled affected Hormel’s Fire Braised Meats, including their boneless chicken thighs and breast
‘These businesses are urged not to serve the product. This product should be thrown away,’ FSIS officials warned in a press release.
The recall specifically affected large cases of the ready-to-eat chicken breasts and thighs sent to customers which order from Hormel Foods Restaurant and Institutional (HRI) Commercial Food Services.
That includes restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and schools, ordering the nearly 14-pound boxes this year.
Officials recalled 13.9-pound cases containing of Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken Thigh Meat with item code 65009 on the label.
The warning also included 13.8-pound cases containing three-ounce pieces of Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken Breast with item code 77531.
The same sized cases holding four-ounce pieces of Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken Breast with item code 46750 were also recalled.
Larger cases, weighing 23.8 pounds, containing five-ounce pieces of Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken Breast with item code 86206 have been pulled as well.
Lastly, 13.95-pound cases containing ‘Boneless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat’ and having the item code 134394 printed on the label have been recalled in the massive safety alert.
The recall also affects cases of Boneless Chicken Breast with Rib Meat with the item code 134394
Consuming metal fragments could lead to choking injuries or cuts in the mouth, throat, or digestive tract (Stock Image)
Anyone who believes they have these products should also look for number P-223 inside the USDA mark of inspection.
According to USDA records, dozens of batches of Hormel Fire Braised products were exposed to the same conveyor belt which spread the metal fragments for months.
In fact, the recall impacted cases of Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken Thigh Meat produced on 75 different dates by the company this year.
Hormel produced cases holding four-ounce pieces of Hormel Fire Braised Meats All Natural Boneless Chicken Breast on nearly 60 different days between February and September, with all of the chicken being recalled.
The recall affects large cases of frozen chicken mainly sold to restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities and schools
The metal contamination was traced to a conveyor belt that was used in the meat’s production from February to September 2025
If metal fragments lead to cuts or perforations in the digestive system, there’s a chance it could cause bacterial infections, especially if the metal carries contaminants or if food residue leads to bacterial growth in the wound.
Swallowing small metal pieces may also cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or blockages in the digestive tract, potentially requiring urgent medical care.
Customers with questions about the recall have been advised to contact Hormel Foods Customer Relations directly through their website or by calling 1-800-523-4635.
Concerned consumers can also reach out to the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) with questions regarding contaminated foods or how to properly prepare meat.