Kayem Recalls 1.58 Million Pounds of Hot Dogs, Bacon and Deli Meats After Warehouse Cooler Temperature Lapses

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PETER MUHLY | AFP via Getty Images Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pocket Kayem Foods Inc. of Chelsea, Massachusetts, is recalling about 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat hot dogs, bacon, sausage, turkey breasts, hams, and other meat and poultry products because they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Oct. 17. The products were shipped to retail, wholesale club, and foodservice locations across the United States and to Hong Kong.

FSIS classified the action as Class I, its highest-risk category, which applies when there is a reasonable probability that eating a product could cause serious health problems or death. There have been no confirmed reports of illness. The recall stems from a storage problem, not a lab finding of contamination, but ready-to-eat meats that warm up can give bacteria such as Listeria a chance to grow.

For households, timing is the biggest concern. The recalled items were produced from about March 31 through Oct. 7, 2026, and some have a long shelf life, so a package bought in the spring or summer could still be in a refrigerator or freezer today. “FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers,” the agency said.

FSIS has posted a full list of more than 100 recalled products with UPC codes, along with sample product labels. Recalled items carry the establishment number “EST. M/P 7839,” “EST. P 20935A” or “EST. M 9520” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Kayem also does business under several brand names, including Al Fresco, DeCosta, Essem, Genoa, Jordan’s, Kirschner, McKenzie Natural Artisan Deli, Meisterchef, Schonland’s Foods and Triple M, WGCU reported. WGCU also noted that Publix is one of several outlets in Florida that have carried Kayem products. A brand name alone does not mean a product is recalled, so shoppers should match the establishment number and UPC against the FSIS list.

The problem came to light on Oct. 1, when a retail customer complained that products were warm when delivered. Kayem investigated and found that a warehouse cooler holding various ready-to-eat items had experienced temperature deviations, according to FSIS.

Because the products also went to foodservice locations, the recall may reach delis, cafeterias and restaurants that buy in bulk. Neither FSIS nor the company has published a list of specific stores or foodservice customers.

Ready-to-eat meats are meant to be eaten straight from the package, which makes cold storage one of the most important safety steps between the plant and the plate. The USDA calls the range between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit the danger zone because many harmful bacteria multiply quickly at those temperatures. Listeria is a particular concern because it can keep growing in the cold.

“Listeria monocytogenes grows at refrigerator temperatures,” Maribel Alonso, a technical information specialist at the USDA, told the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Harmful bacteria also do not necessarily make food smell or taste bad, so a product that seems normal can still be unsafe.

The evidence of harm in this recall is limited. FSIS has not reported that any product tested positive for Listeria or another pathogen, and it has not linked any illness to the products. The Class I rating reflects potential harm, not a confirmed outbreak. That distinction matters for readers who may have already eaten a recalled item and feel well.

Most healthy adults who eat food contaminated with Listeria do not become seriously ill. The risk rises for pregnant people, newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems, including those receiving chemotherapy or radiation, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). In pregnancy, infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or serious illness in the newborn, even when the pregnant person has only mild symptoms.

Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, according to CDC’s guide to Listeria symptoms. They usually begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food but can appear later. CDPH advises pregnant people and others at high risk who ate a recalled product to contact a health care provider if symptoms develop within one to two months. For people who ate the product and have no symptoms, most experts believe no tests or treatment are needed, the department says.

Anyone with a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, or a rapidly worsening illness should seek urgent medical care.

Check the kitchen refrigerator, the freezer, and any second freezer in a garage or basement. Look for the three establishment numbers and compare UPC codes with the FSIS list. If a product matches, do not eat it, and do not serve it to children, older relatives, or guests.

FSIS says recalled products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. As a precaution, wipe down the shelves and drawers where a recalled package was stored, especially in homes with a pregnant or immunocompromised family member.

People who are unsure whether a product is included can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or email MPHotline@usda.gov. Families that buy prepared sandwiches, deli trays or catered meals can ask the seller whether any recalled Kayem products were used.

No one has been confirmed sick. Still, the size of the recall, the long shelf life of many products and their nationwide reach make a quick refrigerator and freezer check worthwhile for most households this week.

About 1.58 million pounds of Kayem ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, including hot dogs, bacon, sausage, turkey breasts and hams, produced from about March 31 through Oct. 7, 2026.

They may have been stored in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations, which can allow bacteria to grow in ready-to-eat foods.

FSIS says there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the recalled products.

How can I tell if my product is included?

Look for EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520 inside the USDA inspection mark, then check the UPC against the FSIS product list.

Who faces the highest risk from Listeria?

Pregnant people, newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of serious illness.

What should I do with a recalled product?

Do not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store. People at high risk who develop fever or other symptoms should contact a health care provider.