Top 5 Major Food Recalls This Week: Beef Sticks, Hot Sauce, and Other Surprising Safety Alerts!
In recent weeks, food safety has become a major concern for consumers as several popular products, including meat sticks, cheese, hot sauce, and frozen meals, were recalled due to contamination risks. Understanding these recalls is crucial for maintaining health and safety in your household. This article highlights the key food recalls of the week, so you can check your pantry, fridge, and freezer for any affected items.
During the week of March 16, multiple products were pulled from shelves due to safety concerns, prompting an urgent need to verify the contents of your kitchen. Below, we list the recalled items and provide essential information for each, helping you stay informed and safe.
Chomps Beef and Turkey Sticks Recalled for Metal Fragments
On March 20, Idaho Smokehouse Partners announced a recall for their Chomps Original Beef Sticks and Original Turkey Sticks due to the potential presence of metal fragments. This recall affects specific lots packaged between January 16 and January 23, which were shipped to California and Illinois. Here are the details:
- Product: Original Beef 12ct Pouch (1.15oz)
- Est Code (Stick): 6220A
- Lot Codes: 25016, 25017, 25018, 25020, 25021
- UPC Pouch: 856584004763
- UPC Stick: 856584004183
- Product: Original Turkey 1.15oz Stick
- Est Code (Stick): P6220A
- Lot Codes: 25022, 25023
- UPC Stick: 856584004404
Shredded Cheese Sold at Aldi Pulled for Stainless Steel Contamination
Over 4,000 bags of Happy Farms by Aldi Colby Jack shredded cheese faced recall in February, classified as a Class II risk on March 19. The recall was initiated by Great Lakes Cheese Co., Inc. due to potential contamination with stainless steel fragments. The affected cheese was sold in:
- Connecticut
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
Hot Ones Brand Hot Sauce Recalled for Possible Plastic Contamination
On March 19, the FDA classified a recall of the “Hot Ones” hot sauce, which originated in February, as “Class II.” This recall affected more than 50,000 bottles, buckets, and jugs of the Verde and Rojo sauces by Heatonist due to the risk of plastic contamination. The recalled products were distributed to locations in:
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
Del Monte Recalls Green Beans Sold at Target
More than 200,000 cans of Good & Gather Cut Green Beans sold at Target were recalled due to contamination from a foreign object. This recall, classified as “Class II” by the FDA on March 13, affects shipments to 21 states across the U.S., including:
- Alabama
- California
- Georgia
- Texas
Frozen Meals Recalled Across the U.S. Over ‘Wood-Like Material’
Select batches of Lean Cuisine and Stouffer’s frozen meals were recalled nationwide due to the presence of a potentially harmful “wood-like material.” The following meals were affected:
- Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli: Multiple batch numbers; best by dates range from October 2025 to March 2026
- Lean Cuisine Spinach Artichoke Ravioli: Includes December 2025 to April 2026 best by dates
- Stouffer’s Party Size Chicken Lasagna: Best by dates from October 2025 through March 2026
As a precaution, it is advisable to verify any of the affected products in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. If you find any recalled items, dispose of them immediately or return them to the store for a refund. Staying informed about food recalls is essential for ensuring your family’s safety and well-being.
For more detailed information about these recalls, visit your local health department’s website or check the FDA’s official site.
