Frozen meat recalled for hard plastic pieces sent to California restaurants

There is a growing list of food recalls affecting California consumers.

One of the latest items on the list is a frozen meat product that was distributed to California and three other states “due to possible foreign matter contamination,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

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The product was also distributed to restaurants and other food-service businesses in California.

Here’s what California consumers and food-service operators need to know:

Which food products were recalled in California? Why?

Illinois-based Fontanini Foods LLC recalled approximately 2,320 pounds of raw, frozen pork breakfast sausage on Friday, Sept. 25, according to the USDA.

The company discovered the problem after receiving two customers complained about finding “clear, hard plastic” in the sausage, the federal agency said.

There have been no confirmed reports of injuries or adverse reactions linked to the recalled sausage, according to the USDA.

The agency classified the recall as Class I, its most serious designation.

“This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death,” the USDA said.

Anyone who believes they were injured after consuming the product should contact a healthcare provider.

How can I tell if I bought recalled pork sausage?

The recalled raw, frozen pork breakfast sausage was produced on June 23.

The recall affects 10-pound cardboard boxes labeled “Fontanini PORK SAUSAGE LINKS.”

You should also look for:

• Item No. 393 printed on the box
• “PACKED ON 06/23/2026” printed on the shipping label
• Establishment No. 6944 inside the USDA mark of inspection

Consumers and food-service operators should check their freezers for the product and compare the packaging with the recall information, according to the USDA.

Where was recalled meat distributed?

The recalled sausage was shipped to distributors in California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada for use in food-service establishments, including restaurants.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in food service and restaurant freezers,” the USDA said in its Sept. 25 recall notice. “Food service establishments and restaurants are urged not to serve this product.”

While retail locations with the recalled product have not yet been identified, the USDA said, a distribution list will be posted on the agency’s website.

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What should I do with recalled pork sausage?

According to the USDA, the recalled meat should not be served or eaten.

Anyone who has the recalled sausage should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.

Restaurants and other food-service establishments should check their freezers and make sure the product is not served to customers, the USDA said.

Consumers and food-service operators with questions about the recall can contact Fontanini Foods at [email protected].

For general food-safety questions, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or email [email protected].

You can report problems involving meat, poultry or egg products through the USDA’s Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System, available 24 hours a day.

Which food, drinks have been recalled in California?

From pet products to groceries, several recalls are affecting California consumers, including:

• Frozen pasta for listeria contamination
• Baking staples due to undeclared allergen
• Cheese recalled for “serious” health risk
• Ready-to-eat meat for listeria risk
• Halloween chocolate with undeclared allergen
• Tofu recalled for ink contamination
• Glass in frozen fruit bars
• Meat products not properly inspected

This story was originally published September 28, 2026 at 3:26 PM with the headline “Frozen meat recalled for hard plastic pieces sent to California restaurants.”

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