Nearly 1.6 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products are being recalled nationwide because they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Kayem Foods Inc., based in Chelsea, Massachusetts, is recalling approximately 1,584,361 pounds of products after an investigation found that a warehouse cooler experienced temperature fluctuations that could have allowed harmful pathogens to grow.
The recall was announced by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Oct. 17, 2026. It carries a Class I classification, the agency’s highest-risk category, meaning consuming the affected products could cause serious health consequences or death.
The recall includes a variety of fully cooked meat and poultry products produced between March 31 and Oct. 7, 2026.
Affected items include hot dogs, bacon, smoked brisket, sausages, ham, turkey and other ready-to-eat deli meats sold under multiple brand names, including:
The products were shipped to retail stores and foodservice locations nationwide, as well as to Hong Kong.
Consumers can check the complete list of recalled products, including UPCs and product labels, on the USDA’s official recall page.
According to the FSIS, the issue was discovered after a retail customer complained about receiving products that were warm upon delivery on Oct. 1.
Kayem Foods investigated the complaint and determined that various ready-to-eat meat and poultry products had been stored in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations.
The company said a cooling-system malfunction led to the problem and that it had corrected the issue.
There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses linked to the recalled products, according to federal officials.
The FSIS is concerned that some of the recalled products may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers.
Anyone who purchased the affected products should not eat them. Consumers should throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase.
The products subject to recall bear one of the following establishment numbers inside the USDA mark of inspection:
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Kayem Foods customer service at 800-426-6100 or email info@kayem.com.
For additional food safety questions, consumers can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.
