Over a quarter-million pounds of popular canned beef stew is being pulled from store shelves after multiple consumers discovered unwelcome wood fragments mixed with their dinner.
At a Glance
- Hormel Foods is recalling 256,185 pounds of Dinty Moore Beef Stew due to wood fragment contamination
- Affected products have a “FEB 2028” best by date, lot code “T02045,” and establishment number “EST 199G”
- The recall was triggered by three consumer complaints reporting wood pieces in the product
- No injuries have been officially reported, but consuming wood can damage teeth, gums, and cause gastrointestinal issues
- Consumers should discard affected products or return them to the place of purchase
Massive Recall Affects Popular Canned Beef Stew
Hormel Foods Corporation has initiated a significant recall affecting over 256,000 pounds of its popular Dinty Moore Beef Stew product. The recall specifically targets 20-oz. metal cans after three separate consumer reports identified wood fragments in the stew. The affected products were packaged on February 4, 2025, and have been distributed to retailers across the United States, potentially placing thousands of American households at risk of consuming contaminated food.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall after being notified by Hormel about the contamination issue. Consumers who have purchased the affected product should look for specific identifying markers: cans with a “FEB 2028” best by date, lot code “T02045,” and establishment number “EST 199G” printed on the packaging. These identifiers will help households determine whether their pantry items are affected by the recall.
Health Risks and Consumer Guidance
While no injuries have been reported thus far, the presence of wood fragments in food products poses several significant health concerns. Consuming wood can potentially damage teeth and gums during chewing, and if swallowed, the fragments may cause gastrointestinal blockages or other digestive tract injuries. The size of the wood fragments found in the Dinty Moore products has not been specified in the recall notice, making it difficult for consumers to visually inspect the contents for contamination.
“The problem was discovered after the establishment notified FSIS that they had received three consumer complaints reporting pieces of wood in the beef stew product.” U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service states.
Health officials are advising consumers to be alert for symptoms that might indicate complications from consuming contaminated products. These include chest or abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movements, fever, and potential allergic reactions. The FSIS has emphasized that anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the recalled beef stew should seek medical attention immediately.
What Consumers Should Do
Hormel Foods is instructing consumers not to consume any potentially affected Dinty Moore Beef Stew products. Instead, the company recommends either disposing of the cans or returning them to the place of purchase for a full refund. This precautionary measure aims to prevent any possible injuries or health complications that could arise from consuming the contaminated product.
This recall is not isolated in the food industry. Earlier this year, Nestle faced similar contamination issues with “wood-like” materials found in their Lean Cuisine and Stouffer’s frozen meals, leading to a separate recall. These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in food processing and quality control across major American food manufacturers. For consumers seeking additional information, Hormel has established dedicated customer service channels to address questions and concerns about the recall.
