Check your refrigerators and pantries: A massive nationwide recall has been issued for more than 1.5 million pounds of popular meat products.
Kayem Foods Inc. is recalling approximately 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to concerns that they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The affected items include hot dogs, bacon, deli meats, bratwursts, and other ready-to-eat products manufactured between March 31 and Oct. 7 at the company’s facility in Chelsea, Massachusetts. According to federal officials, these items were distributed to retail stores and food service locations across the United States, as well as internationally to Hong Kong.
How the Issue Was Discovered
The company initiated an investigation after a customer reported receiving warm products upon delivery on Oct. 1. Subsequent checks revealed that a warehouse cooler storing the inventory had experienced temperature deviations, prompting federal intervention to pull the products from circulation.
While no confirmed illnesses have been reported to date, the USDA warns that consumers may still have the affected items sitting in their refrigerators.
How to Check If Your Products Are Affected
Consumers should inspect packaging carefully. The recalled items carry one of the following establishment numbers inside the USDA inspection mark:
- EST. M/P 7839
- EST. P 20935A
- EST. M 9520
Detailed information regarding specific product names, package labels, and UPC codes can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kayem-foods-inc–recalls-meat-and-poultry-products-due-possible-temperature-abuse
What You Should Do
- Do Not Eat: If you have any of the recalled items in your home, do not consume them.
- Discard or Return: Safely throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
- Seek Medical Attention: Anyone who is concerned about a potential illness should contact a healthcare provider immediately.
