Tejal Somvanshi
Kayem Foods Inc., a Chelsea, Massachusetts producer, has recalled 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, according to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Recall Release 026-2026, issued October 17, 2026. FSIS has classified the action as a Class I recall, its most serious category.
Which brands and USDA numbers are included in the Kayem Foods meat recall?
The recalled items include hot dogs, sausages, bacon and deli meats sold under the Kayem, Al Fresco, Triple M, McKenzie, Deutschmacher, Jordan’s, Essem and Winnisimmet brand names. Consumers can identify affected packages by the USDA mark of inspection printed on the label, which will read EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A, or EST. M 9520. FSIS has advised that anyone holding a product bearing one of these establishment numbers should check it against the agency’s product list, which details exact labels and package sizes, before discarding or returning it.
FSIS said the recall stems from possible temperature abuse tied to a warehouse-cooler temperature deviation. The affected products were made between March 31 and October 7, 2026, and were distributed nationwide as well as exported to Hong Kong. The issue came to light after a retail customer reported receiving warm product upon delivery on October 1, which prompted a company investigation.
A Class I designation means FSIS has determined there is a reasonable probability that eating the recalled product could cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. FSIS noted that no illnesses had been confirmed in connection with the recall as of the release date. The agency encouraged consumers with questions about safe handling to call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.
Consumers are urged to check freezers and refrigerators for the listed brands and establishment numbers and to discard the product or return it to the place of purchase rather than consuming it. Retailers and distributors who received shipments within the production date range are expected to follow similar steps. Because the recalled items were shipped broadly and carry varied labeling across the eight brand names, FSIS has pointed consumers to its official product list rather than relying on brand name alone to confirm whether a specific package is affected.
Karmactive has separately reported on other recent food-safety matters, including its coverage of the Starfish Seafood smoked salmon recall and the Family Farmstead raw cheddar cheese recall; each involves a different company and product, and readers can consult that reporting individually for details on those cases. Consumers checking whether product types beyond hot dogs, sausages, bacon and deli meats, such as turkey breast or ham, fall under this recall should consult the FSIS product list referenced above for the complete rundown. Updated recall notices and the full list of FSIS actions are posted at the agency’s recalls and public health alerts page, where consumers can search by establishment number or product name for the most current details.
