Urgent Recall: 4.9 Million Pounds of Frozen Chicken Pulled Due to Metal Contamination Risk

In a significant food safety alert, Hormel Foods has issued a voluntary recall of over 4.8 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products. This action follows multiple reports of metal fragments being found in the food, which had been distributed extensively to hotels, restaurants, and various institutions.

The announcement came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on October 25. The recall affects chicken breast and thigh products that were shipped to HRI Commercial Food Service locations across the nation, spanning from February 10 to September 19 of this year. It’s important to note that these products were not available directly to consumers but were intended for commercial use.

Updated: Oct 26, 2025 / 11:46 AM EDT

(KNWA/KFTA) — More than 4.8 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products distributed to hotels, restaurants, and institutions have been voluntarily recalled by Hormel Foods after receiving multiple reports of finding metal inside the food.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on Oct. 25 for chicken breast and thigh products sent to HRI Commercial Food Service locations — and not directly to consumers — nationwide from Feb. 10 through Sept. 19 of this year.

The following products are the subject of the recall:

• 13.9-lb. cases containing “Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN THIGH MEAT,” with item code “65009” printed on the label.
• 13.8-lb. cases containing 3-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “77531” printed on the label.
• 13.8-lb. cases containing 4-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “46750” printed on the label.
• 23.8-lb. cases containing 5-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “86206” printed on the label.
• 13.95-lb. cases containing “BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT,” with item code “134394” printed on the label.

The full list of affected pack dates can be found on the USDA’s website.

FSIS said the Minnesota establishment heard from multiple foodservice customers who said they found metal in their chicken breast and thigh products. Hormel Foods found the metal came from a conveyor belt used in production.

While the products may not be in typical consumer freezers, they may be in those of hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.

There have been no injuries reported in connection with the impacted chicken. No injuries have been reported due to the consumption of the product. Owners are urged to throw away the products.

Anyone with questions about the recall may contact Hormel Foods Customer Relations through their website or by calling 1-800-523-4635.