Kroger stores across 17 states have issued an urgent recall of several popular frozen food items, including State Fair corn dogs and Jimmy Dean pancake sausage sticks. The recall comes after multiple reports of wood contamination, which poses a serious risk of oral injury or choking. As of the latest update, approximately 58 million pounds of affected products have been pulled from shelves, with an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The Impact of Wood Contamination
The recall, classified as Class I by the FSIS, signifies that there is a “reasonable probability” that the contaminated products could cause serious harm to consumers. Wood fragments in processed meat products, while unusual, are a dangerous contaminant. These foreign objects present a risk not only to adults but also to children, who are often the target audience for products like corn dogs and pancake sticks.
The affected products, produced by Hillshire Brands (a subsidiary of Tyson Foods), include well-known items such as State Fair Beef Corn Dogs and Jimmy Dean Sausage Pancake Sticks, which were distributed across major grocery chains, including Kroger, Dillons, Ralphs, and King Soopers. These products were manufactured between March 17 and September 26, 2025, and were sold at grocery stores in the Midwest, South, and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Wood contamination in food can sometimes go unnoticed, especially in frozen products. This is why the recall is critical: it prevents further injuries by removing potentially dangerous food from consumers’ homes. While the contamination may not always be visible, reports of injuries have led the FSIS to issue the recall in the interest of public safety.
Steps for Consumers
Consumers who purchased the affected products are urged to immediately check the packaging for the establishment numbers “EST-582” or “P-894”, which appear on the labels. These products should either be returned to the store or safely discarded.
While the recall is focused on products sold through retail channels, some items were also distributed to schools and Department of Defense facilities. The FSIS clarified, however, that the school distribution was not part of the National School Lunch Program, limiting the scope of exposure.
Given the widespread distribution of the recalled items, it is important for consumers to stay informed as further updates are released. The FSIS continues to monitor the situation, and the recall remains ongoing. Full details of the affected products, including images of the labels, can be found on the FSIS website.
