Attention Restaurant Owners: Hormel Recalls Frozen Chicken Bites—Check Your Inventory

If your kitchen stocks frozen chicken products, especially for quick-serve dishes or catering, this recall alert is worth your attention. Hormel Foods has issued a recall for nearly 16,000 pounds of its frozen, ready-to-eat

Black Label Homestyle Boneless Chicken Bites due to contamination concerns involving pieces of rubber and plastic.

These products were produced on October 3, 2023, and distributed nationwide. While no injuries have been reported, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) warns that the foreign materials could pose a choking hazard or cause injury if consumed.

Here’s what to look for in your freezer or supplier inventory:

• Product: Black Label Homestyle Boneless Chicken Bites

• Package size: 16 oz. plastic packages

• Production date: October 3, 2023

• Establishment number: “EST. 19900” (inside the USDA mark of inspection)

If your restaurant uses this product for appetizers, bar bites, or catering trays, pull it immediately and contact your distributor for return or refund instructions. Even if you haven’t received complaints, proactive removal protects your customers and your reputation.

Food safety is non-negotiable—especially in small-town kitchens where trust and word-of-mouth matter. Sharing this info with your staff and fellow restaurant owners could prevent a serious issue down the line.