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Hormel Foods Corporation has issued an urgent recall of nearly five million pounds of frozen ready-to-eat chicken due to potential metal contamination. Announced on Saturday (October 25), the recall affects chicken products distributed nationwide to HRI Commercial Food Service locations from February to September 2025. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) posted the recall notice, highlighting the discovery of metal fragments originating from a production conveyor belt.
The recall was prompted by multiple customer complaints about finding metal in frozen chicken breast and thigh products. Although no injuries have been reported, consuming metal can pose serious health risks, including choking and internal injuries.
Hormel Foods clarified that the recalled products are not available for direct consumer purchase but are sold to foodservice customers, such as hotels and restaurants. The affected products bear the establishment number "P-223" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The FSIS is concerned that some of these products may still be in the freezers of institutions and urges them to dispose of the recalled items immediately.
For those with questions about the recall, Hormel Foods Customer Relations can be contacted via their website or by calling 1-800-523-4635. Additionally, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available for food safety inquiries at 888-674-6854.