Hormel Recalls 256K Pounds of Dinty Moore Beef Stew
If you’ve recently picked up a can of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, you might want to take a closer look at the label. A Hormel Foods recall has been issued for over 256,000 pounds of the product due to a potential contamination with wood fragments. Yes, actual wood in your stew.
USDA Issues Class I Recall for Hormel Beef Stew
The canned beef stew recall involves Hormel's 20-ounce metal cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, specifically those stamped with the lot code:
T02045
EST 199G
These cans were produced on February 4, 2025, and have a best-by date of February 2028.
Hormel Foods Corporation notified the USDA after receiving three separate complaints from consumers who found wood fragments in their food. No injuries or illnesses have been reported, but the issue is serious enough to prompt a full recall.
USDA Class I Recall Issued
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on May 28, classifying it as a Class I recall. That means there’s a reasonable probability that consuming the product could lead to serious health consequences or even death.
While that may sound dramatic, it underscores the importance of food safety and a fast response time in situations like this. The company is recalling 17,080 cases, totaling 256,185 pounds, "out of an abundance of caution."
Check Your Pantry: What to Look For
Here’s how to know if your can is part of the Hormel Foods recall:
Product: Dinty Moore Beef Stew (20-ounce can)
Lot Code: T02045
Establishment Number: EST 199G
Best By Date: February 2028
If your can matches these identifiers, don’t eat it. Instead, toss it out or return it to the store where you bought it.
Food Safety Alert for Consumers
This incident is a good reminder to stay on top of food safety alerts, especially with shelf-stable products like canned goods. While it's rare, foreign materials, like wood fragments in food, can sometimes make their way into packaged items due to production mishaps.
According to Hormel, no other Dinty Moore products are affected. But, for any questions, people can contact Hormel Foods Customer Relations at 1-800-523-4635 or visit hormel.com for more info.
Not the First Recall This Year
This canned beef stew recall is part of a string of recent recalls due to foreign material contamination. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola and Chomps beef snacks also pulled products from shelves due to pieces of metal and other materials found inside.
Check Your Pantry for Hormel Foods Recall
If Dinty Moore Beef Stew is a staple in your pantry, be sure to check for the recall details, especially with the lot code T02045 and EST 199G. While no injuries have been reported, it’s not worth taking chances when it comes to your health.
The Hormel Foods recall is a serious matter, but thanks to vigilant consumers and responsive companies, issues like this are quickly brought to light. When in doubt, toss it out or, better yet, return it for a refund.