Hormel Recalls Nearly 5 Million Pounds Frozen Chicken Due to Metal Contamination Nationwide

Hormel Foods has issued a voluntary recall of nearly 4.9 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen boneless chicken products due to contamination with metal fragments originating from a conveyor belt used in production. The affected products, distributed nationwide between February and September 2025, were sold exclusively to food service customers such as restaurants and cafeterias, and were not available in grocery stores or to direct consumers. Despite multiple complaints of metal found in the chicken breast and thigh products, no injuries or illnesses have been reported. The recalled items include specific Hormel Fire Braised line products with various item codes and bear establishment number "P-223" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Customers with questions are advised to contact Hormel or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, and food service locations are urged to discard any affected products in their possession. Hormel has notified all recipients of the affected products to prevent any risk to consumers' safety.