Hormel Foods Recalls Frozen Chicken Products
Hormel Foods is recalling almost 5 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products due to possible contamination with metal debris, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Saturday.
Based in Austin, Minnesota, the company traced the source of the contamination to metal pieces that came from a conveyor belt used during the manufacturing process. The pieces were reported to be around 2 mm by 17 mm in size, authorities stated.
Multiple complaints from food service customers, including hotels and restaurants, about metal found in Hormel’s frozen chicken breast and thigh products triggered the recall.
The affected items were sold under the HORMEL® FIRE BRAISED™ label and were distributed nationwide between February 10, 2025, and September 19, 2025.
According to Hormel, they are voluntarily recalling 215,258 products, totaling 4,874,815 pounds. “These products are being sent to food service providers across the United States due to the potential presence of foreign metallic substances,” the company noted on Sunday.
The recall includes bulk cases of boneless chicken breasts and thighs weighing between 13 and 24 pounds, with specific product codes printed on the labels: 65009, 77531, 46750, 86206, and 134394.
FSIS and Hormel clarified that these products aren’t sold directly to grocery stores or consumers.
“This product is intended solely for food service customers and is not available for individual purchase. All recipients of the affected product have been appropriately notified,” the company added.
FSIS also pointed out that some recalled products might still be in commercial kitchen freezers, reminding that regular inspections are carried out to prevent any of these items from reaching consumers.
“Food service companies are advised not to offer this product. It should be disposed of,” the agency stated.
Hormel confirmed to FOX Business that “no other HORMEL® products are affected, and no illnesses or injuries related to this recall have been reported.”
