The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is charged with ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, some fish, and processed egg products. In pursuing that goal, it regularly inspects examples of these items — sometimes responding to consumer complaints and sometimes to information from producers or distributors. The FSIS issues recalls for a variety of reasons.
The recalls go out to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of the affected products, and the information on the recalls and other health alerts is available to the public online at the FSIS site. Consumers are asked to return recalled items to their retailers or discard them, while retailers and distributors return them to the manufacturers.
Foods are often recalled because they are found to include foreign matter (metal fragments, wood, plastic, etc.), or test positive for bacterial contamination — mostly some variety of Salmonella or E. coli. In other cases, foods are recalled because they were not submitted for inspection — an issue particularly with frozen fish imported from Vietnam.
Click here to see the 50 biggest food recalls of the year
The FSIS recalls are classified by severity/health impact into three classes: Class 3 recalls means are of products that won’t cause adverse health consequences if consumed; Class 2 recalls encompass situations where there is a remote possibility of adverse health consequences; Class 1 is the real danger zone, used for cases where there is a reasonable probability that eating the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or even death. As an example, here are 35 food recalls that have poisoned the most people.
The good news is that Class 1 recalls are relatively rare. In 2018, there were seven recalls in that grouping, as opposed to 97 in Class 3. When 24/7 Tempo assembled this list of the 50 largest FSIS recalls of 2019 (so far) in terms of pounds, only three were associated with any negative health impact — the most serious being associated with apparent Salmonella Dublin contamination of ground beef products sold by the Stater Bros. grocery chain, thought to have sickened 10 people in six states. Nothing this year has come close to being one of the worst food recalls of all time.
50. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 27,956
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: TV Food LLC
> Brand name(s): Golden Boy
> Date recall initiated: February 22, 2019
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49. Ground beef products
> Pounds recalled: 30,260
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Washington Beef LLC
> Brand name(s): Double R Ranch, St. Helens Beef
> Date recall initiated: March 2, 2019
48. SimplySmart Organics poultry products
> Pounds recalled: 31,703
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Perdue Foods LLC
> Brand name(s): Perdue SimplySmart Organics, Chef Quik
> Date recall initiated: July 31, 2019
47. Canned beef products
> Pounds recalled: 32,400
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible survival of bacterial pathogens in products
> Company: Conagra Brands, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Kaskey’s
> Date recall initiated: July 31, 2019
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46. Ground beef products
> Pounds recalled: 34,222
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible Salmonella Dublin contamination
> Company: Central Valley Meat Co., Inc.
> Brand name(s): Stater Bros.
> Date recall initiated: November 15, 2019
45. Ready-to-eat pork and beef gravy products
> Pounds recalled: 35,145
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Fairmont Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
> Date recall initiated: July 9, 2019
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44. Chicken fried rice products
> Pounds recalled: 35,459
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergens
> Company: Choice Canning Company, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Fusia Asian Inspirations
> Date recall initiated: March 11, 2019
43. Breaded chicken products
> Pounds recalled: 35,870
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Productos La Aguadillana, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Productos La Aguadillana, Inc. (institutional distribution only)
> Date recall initiated: March 14, 2019
42. Chicken nugget products
> Pounds recalled: 36,420
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Tyson Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Weaver
> Date recall initiated: August 15, 2019
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41. Weaver Brand ready-to-eat chicken patty products
> Pounds recalled: 39,078
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Tyson Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Tyson
> Date recall initiated: January 29, 2019
40. Ground beef products
> Pounds recalled: 43,292
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: JBS Plainwell, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Meijer
> Date recall initiated: April 8, 2019
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39. Poultry products
> Pounds recalled: 43,848
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection; products imported from Vietnam, a country ineligible to export poultry products to the U.S.
> Company: Cay Thi Queentrees Food USA
> Brand name(s): Cay Thi
> Date recall initiated: November 4, 2019
38. Poultry products
> Pounds recalled: 47,332
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergen
> Company: Harvest Food Group, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Yumnum Global Cuisine
> Date recall initiated: January 25, 2019
37. Raw Ground Frozen Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Flavored Pork Patty Products
> Pounds recalled: 48,371
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Johnsonville LLC
> Brand name(s): Johnsonville Grillers
> Date recall initiated: January 18, 2019
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36. Ready-to-eat sausage products
> Pounds recalled: 48,681
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Kent Quality Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Teton Waters Ranch
> Date recall initiated: July 26, 2019
35. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 49,000
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: Crab House Trading Corp.
> Brand name(s): Triple Pearl
> Date recall initiated: May 15, 2019
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34. Ready-to-eat smoked sausage products
> Pounds recalled: 51,188
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergens
> Company: J Bar B Foods
> Brand name(s): H-E-B Made in Texas Original
> Date recall initiated: February 21, 2019
33. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 51,942
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: McAllen Cold Storage, Ltd.
> Brand name(s): BWI
> Date recall initiated: May 29, 2019
32. Raw ground beef products
> Pounds recalled: 53,200
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible E. coli O103 contamination
> Company: Grant Park Packing
> Brand name(s): North Star Imports & Sales (institutional distribution only)
> Date recall initiated: April 24, 2019
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31. Frozen ready-to-eat beef and pork meatball products
> Pounds recalled: 53,217
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergens
> Company: Home Market Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Cooked Perfect Brand
> Date recall initiated: July 25, 2019
30. Ready-to-eat chicken sausage products
> Pounds recalled: 55,550
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding
> Company: BrucePac
> Brand name(s): Unknown
> Date recall initiated: November 19, 2019
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29. Stuffed sandwich products
> Pounds recalled: 56,578
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: J&J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp.
> Brand name(s): Bremer
> Date recall initiated: April 5, 2019
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28. Breaded popcorn chicken products
> Pounds recalled: 58,020
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
> Brand name(s): Pierce Chicken
> Date recall initiated: February 1, 2019
27. Beef products
> Pounds recalled: 62,112
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination
> Company: Aurora Packing Company, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Aurora Packing Company
> Date recall initiated: May 22, 2019
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26. Beef products
> Pounds recalled: 64,797
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination
> Company: Pride of Florida
> Brand name(s): Circle A Brand, Clark’s
> Date recall initiated: October 18, 2019
25. SimplySmart Organics gluten free chicken nugget products
> Pounds recalled: 68,244
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Perdue Foods LLC
> Brand name(s): Perdue Simply Smart Organics
> Date recall initiated: January 17, 2019
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24. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 69,590
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: J DeLuca Fish Company, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Nautilus
> Date recall initiated: May 29, 2019
23. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 71,435
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: H & T Seafood, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Pineapple Brand, Traman Co.
> Date recall initiated: January 18, 2019
22. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 73,360
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: Richwell Group, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Maxfield Seafood
> Date recall initiated: February 5, 2019
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21. Salad products
> Pounds recalled: 75,233
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination
> Company: Missa Bay LLC
> Brand name(s): Ready Pac, Signature Cafe, Signature Farms, and others
> Date recall initiated: November 21, 2019
20. Turkey products
> Pounds recalled: 78,164
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible Salmonella Schwarzengrund contamination
> Company: Butterball LLC
> Brand name(s): Butterball
> Date recall initiated: March 13, 2019
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19. Ready-to-eat jalapeño cheddar smoked sausage links
> Pounds recalled: 95,393
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Johnsonville, LLC
> Brand name(s): Johnsonville
> Date recall initiated: May 31, 2019
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18. Chicken products
> Pounds recalled: 99,975
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergens
> Company: VICS Acquisition, LLC
> Brand name(s): Happi Foodi, SE Grocers
> Date recall initiated: February 10, 2019
17. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 100,924
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: Fulton Seafood, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Unknown
> Date recall initiated: February 22, 2019
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16. Raw ground beef products
> Pounds recalled: 113,424
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible E. coli O103 contamination
> Company: K2D Foods
> Brand name(s): Colorado Premium Foods
> Date recall initiated: February 1, 2019
15. Pork and turkey products
> Pounds recalled: 121,083
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergens
> Company: Blue Grass Quality Meats
> Brand name(s): Blue Grass, Olde World, Robinson’s, Troyer
> Date recall initiated: November 29, 2019
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14. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 121,151
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: Premium Foods USA, Inc.,
> Brand name(s): Shahjalal
> Date recall initiated: July 27, 2019
13. Meat and poultry products
> Pounds recalled: 126,000
> Reason(s) for recall: Products produced and packed under insanitary conditions
> Company: T & R Enterprise USA, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Silver Label, Dai Kin, Tita’s, World Cuisine (institutional distribution only)
> Date recall initiated: October 18, 2019
12. Meat products
> Pounds recalled: 130,464
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Rastelli Bros., Inc.
> Brand name(s): Nature’s Rancher
> Date recall initiated: November 7, 2019
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11. Fully cooked poultry products
> Pounds recalled: 135,810
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible listeria contamination
> Company: Tip Top Poultry, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Tip Top, Sysco, West Creek, Perdue
> Date recall initiated: August 20, 2019
10. Siluriformes fish products
> Pounds recalled: 160,020
> Reason(s) for recall: Products not presented for import re-inspection
> Company: Richwell Group, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Maxfield Seafood
> Date recall initiated: May 28, 2019
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9. Chicken fried rice products
> Pounds recalled: 172,692
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Ajinomoto
> Date recall initiated: November 22, 2019
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8. Boneless pork rib frozen entrée products
> Pounds recalled: 173,376
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Bellisio Foods
> Brand name(s): Boston Market Home Style Meals
> Date recall initiated: February 23, 2019
7. Ready-to-eat chicken fritter products
> Pounds recalled: 190,757
> Reason(s) for recall: Possibly foreign matter contamination
> Company: Tyson Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Tyson
> Date recall initiated: June 7, 2019
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6. Pork sausage products
> Pounds recalled: 191,928
> Reason(s) for recall: Possibly adulterated due to product contamination
> Company: Monogram Meat Snacks, LLC
> Brand name(s): Duke’s
> Date recall initiated: March 13, 2019
5. Bacon breakfast wrap products
> Pounds recalled: 246,514
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Ruiz Foods Products Inc.
> Brand name(s): El Monterey
> Date recall initiated: June 14, 2019
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4. Pork products
> Pounds recalled: 515,000
> Reason(s) for recall: Products produced without federal inspection and outside inspection hours
> Company: Morris Meat Packing
> Brand name(s): Morris Meat Packing
> Date recall initiated: November 21, 2019
3. Poultry products
> Pounds recalled: 2,071,397
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Simmons
> Date recall initiated: November 6, 2019
2. Chicken pad thai and chicken fried rice products
> Pounds recalled: 2,094,186
> Reason(s) for recall: Misbranding and undeclared allergens
> Company: Conagra Brands, Inc.
> Brand name(s): P.F. Chang’s Home Menu
> Date recall initiated: May 4, 2019
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1. Chicken strip products
> Pounds recalled: 11,760,424
> Reason(s) for recall: Possible foreign matter contamination
> Company: Tyson Foods, Inc.
> Brand name(s): Tyson
> Date recall initiated: May 4, 2019
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