Executive Summary:
Hormel Foods has initiated a major FSIS Class I recall impacting food service operators nationwide, removing 4.9 million pounds of frozen boneless chicken products due to potential metal fragment contamination traced to conveyor belt failure. The affected Fire Braised chicken items were distributed exclusively to commercial clients through HRI Commercial Food Service between February and September 2025, marking a critical food safety event for institutional kitchens. While no consumer injuries have been reported, this wholesale-level recall underscores persistent hazards in industrial food processing systems and supply chain quality control challenges.
Operational Implications for Institutional Food Handlers:
- Immediate Inventory Audit: Cross-reference USDA Recall Notice 034-2025 with recent shipments; quarantine Lot #’s A23188 through A23198
- Traceability Protocols: Implement FSIS-compliant documentation for disposed products and notify downstream clients per food safety compliance regulations
- Supply Chain Contingencies: Source alternative protein providers; verify your distributors’ HACCP validation processes
- Regulatory Warning: Anticipate increased FSIS inspections for foreign material prevention controls following this high-profile x-ray detection failure
Core Incident Report:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hormel Foods is recalling nearly 4.9 million pounds of frozen boneless chicken products it sold to restaurants, cafeterias and other outlets, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Saturday.
Customers reported finding metal in the chicken breast and thigh products. Hormel concluded that the metal came from a conveyor belt used in production, the food safety service said. There have been no reports of illnesses or injuries.
The recalled Hormel Fire Braised chicken items were distributed to HRI Commercial Food Service, a restaurant supply company, at locations nationwide from Feb. 10 through Sept. 19. The products are only sold to food service companies, not directly to consumers.
The food safety service said that some of the recalled chicken may be in freezers at hotels, restaurants and cafeterias and urged that it be thrown away. Hormel said it has notified all customers who received the products.
Consumers with questions about the recall can reach out to Hormel Foods through the company website or by calling 1-800-523-4635.
Regulatory Resources:
- FSIS Recall Dashboard – Track real-time Class I recalls impacting commercial food systems
- FSMA Preventive Controls Guidance – Compliance requirements for foreign material detection systems
- Conveyor System Safety Standards – OSHA protocols for food processing equipment maintenance
Critical Food Safety FAQs:
- Q: How could metal enter commercial chicken products?
A: Wear-and-tear on processing equipment like conveyor belts without proper metal detection failsafes. - Q: Should consumers check restaurant meals?
A: While impossible to inspect prepared foods, diners can inquire about suppliers’ recall compliance history. - Q: Are bone fragments considered equal risks?
A: No – metal contamination triggers Class I categorization due to severe injury potential versus naturally occurring bone chips. - Q: What liability exists for unrecalled product?
A: Commercial buyers may pursue breach-of-contract claims for recalled lots’ replacement costs.
Food Safety Expert Analysis:
“This recall reveals critical gaps in industrial foreign material controls. Commercial kitchens must demand suppliers’ metal detection validation records and implement secondary screening for high-risk ingredients. The lack of injuries shouldn’t breed complacency – near misses precede catastrophic failures.”
SEO-Optimized Key Terminology:
- Food processing equipment metal contamination protocol
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- FSIS Class I food safety emergency response
- Restaurant supplier foreign material liability
- HACCP conveyor belt maintenance compliance
- Institutional food service recall management
- USDA Food Safety Inspection Service enforcement actions
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