Kayem Foods Inc. is recalling about 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, including hot dogs, bacon, sausage, and deli meats, because they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classified it as a Class I recall, its highest risk level.
No illnesses have been confirmed. Still, if you shop for these products, it's worth checking your refrigerator and freezer now.
Temperature Storage Issue
Kayem Foods, based in Chelsea, Massachusetts, stored a range of ready-to-eat products in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations. FSIS says the products "may have experienced temperature abuse during storage."
The problem came to light when a retail customer reported warm product temperatures at delivery on October 1, 2026. The affected products were made between about March 31 and October 7, 2026, and shipped to retail and foodservice locations across the country and in Hong Kong. FSIS announced the recall on October 17.
Temperature abuse means food is kept outside the safe range for refrigerated storage for too long. The USDA advises keeping refrigerated food at 40°F or below, because bacteria multiply fastest between 40°F and 140°F. Ready-to-eat products are meant to be eaten without further cooking, so any storage issues aren't corrected before they reach your plate. The recall stems from how the products were stored, and FSIS reports no confirmed illnesses.
Affected Products
The recall covers more than 100 products, according to news coverage, including hot dogs, bacon, sausage, turkey breasts, and hams sold through retail stores, wholesale clubs, and foodservice operators. Reports name brands such as Al Fresco, DeCosta, Essem, Genoa, Jordan's, Kirschner, McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli, Meisterchef, Schonland's Foods, and Triple M. With a list this long, a brand name alone isn't enough to go on.
Instead, look inside the USDA mark of inspection on the package for one of these establishment numbers:
- EST. M/P 7839
- EST. P 20935A
- EST. M 9520
Then compare the UPC on the package with the product list FSIS posted alongside its recall announcement. Products made from about March 31 through October 7, 2026 are included.
What to Do if You Have These Products
- Check your refrigerator and every freezer in the house, including a basement or garage freezer, for products carrying one of the three establishment numbers.
- Don't eat or serve them. FSIS urges consumers not to consume these products and says to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
- Wipe down the shelves and drawers where the products were stored.
- If you ate a recalled product and feel unwell, contact a health care provider. Pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should be especially careful.
- Call with questions. Kayem Foods Customer Service is at 800-426-6100 or [email protected], and the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is at 888-674-6854 or [email protected].
Keeping Meat and Poultry at Safe Temperatures
This recall is a reminder that temperature matters as much as the package date. A few habits help:
- Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F. An inexpensive appliance thermometer tells you more than the dial does.
- Get cold groceries into the refrigerator promptly. Perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours, or for 1 hour when it's above 90°F.
- Check packages at the store. If a package feels warm or the cooler case seems off, tell a store employee and choose another.
- Don't crowd the refrigerator. Cold air needs room to circulate around packages.
Where to Find Updates
FSIS posts recall details, labels, and product lists on its recalls and public health alerts page, so check back in case the list changes. If you have a problem with a meat or poultry product, you can report it through the FSIS online complaint system.