WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hormel Foods Corporation is recalling nearly 4.9 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products distributed nationwide after reports of metal fragments found in the food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) .
Scope of the Recall
The recall affects 4,874,815 pounds of frozen chicken breast and thigh products produced at Hormel’s Austin, Minnesota facility between February 10 and September 19, 2025. The products, sold under the “Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL” label, were distributed to hotels, restaurants, and institutions nationwide.
Each package bears the establishment number “P-223” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
The recalled items include: (view list)
- 13.9-lb. cases of boneless chicken thigh meat (item code 65009)
- 13.8-lb. cases of 3-oz. boneless chicken breast (item code 77531)
- 13.8-lb. cases of 4-oz. boneless chicken breast (item code 46750)
- 23.8-lb. cases of 5-oz. boneless chicken breast (item code 86206)
- 13.95-lb. cases of boneless chicken breast with rib meat (item code 134394) .
Cause and Safety Concerns
Hormel initiated the recall after receiving multiple complaints from foodservice customers who found pieces of metal in the chicken products. The company traced the contamination to a conveyor belt used in production.
No injuries have been confirmed, but FSIS is advising anyone who may have consumed the affected products and is concerned about an injury to contact a healthcare provider .
Consumer and Business Guidance
FSIS warns that the recalled chicken may still be stored in restaurant and institutional freezers. Businesses are urged not to serve the product and to discard it immediately.
Hormel Foods is notifying its customers directly, and FSIS will conduct recall effectiveness checks to confirm that contaminated products are removed from circulation.
