Nestlé Recalls Frozen Meals Over Potential Wood Contamination
Nestlé has issued a recall for specific frozen meal products due to concerns over potential contamination with “wood-like” substances. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall, urging consumers to check their freezers for affected items.
Products Affected by the Recall
The recall includes two popular frozen meal lines: Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken and Stouffer’s Bowl-Full Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. These meals, produced by Nestlé USA, may contain foreign materials that could pose a choking hazard or cause oral injuries.
According to FSIS, the affected products include:
- Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken (8 5/8-oz cartons) with lot codes 1163595911 and 1163595912, best-before date of October 2024.
- Stouffer’s Bowl-Full Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (15 1/4-oz cartons) with lot code 1163595513, best-before date of January 2025.
Nestlé reported receiving multiple consumer complaints regarding the issue, prompting an internal investigation and subsequent recall.
Consumer and Retailer Guidance
Consumers are advised to check their frozen meal stock for the affected lot numbers and either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. FSIS has urged anyone who may have consumed a contaminated product and experienced an adverse reaction to seek medical attention.
Retailers have been notified to remove affected batches from shelves to prevent further distribution.
Industry Implications
This recall underscores the increasing importance of stringent quality control measures within the frozen meal segment. In recent years, major food brands have faced heightened scrutiny over product safety, particularly following similar contamination incidents. Ensuring product integrity at every stage of production remains a crucial priority, especially as consumer demand for convenient meal solutions continues to grow.
Nestlé has assured customers that it is working with FSIS to investigate the cause of the contamination and reinforce preventive measures. As the frozen food category expands, maintaining trust