In a significant food safety alert, Hillshire Brands Company has issued a recall for approximately 58 million pounds of its corn dog and sausage-on-a-stick products due to concerns over wood fragment contamination. As reported by NBC Chicago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall this past Saturday following reports that consumers found wood pieces in the batter of these popular snacks.
The wide-reaching recall includes over 25 different products distributed under brands such as Jimmy Dean and State Fair, found in major retailers like Walmart, Meijer, and Target. The items, between March 17 and September 26, 2025, had been sold online and shipped not only to retail locations but also to food service providers, school districts, and Department of Defense facilities. It is important to note that the contaminated products sent to schools were part of commercial sales, not affiliated with the USDA's National School Lunch Program, according to the recall announcement.
So far, the company has received multiple consumer complaints, which led to the discovery of the wood contaminants. Per CBS News, Hillshire Brands identified the source of the contamination as wooden sticks used in the production process that entered the batter before frying. The FSIS expressed concern over the potential presence of these products in consumers' homes, schools, and institutions, warning all parties to dispose of or return any affected products promptly.
A complete list of the recalled items can be found online, and the products in question are marked with establishment number "EST-582" or "P-894." For those concerned about whether they might have purchased the affected products, the FSIS will post a list of the retail distributors on its website once available. Injuries involving wooden fragments have been reported by at least five individuals. The USDA strongly advises anyone in possession of these products to either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase immediately. Consumers with questions are directed to contact Christina Self, the Hillshire Brands Company Associate Director of Customer Care, at (888) 747-7611.
