Six frozen-food items sold at Kroger stores across 17 states have been recalled amid a federal health warning about possible contamination with pieces of wood.
The products—ranging from popular State Fair corn dogs to Jimmy Dean pancake and sausage sticks—are being removed from shelves after multiple injury complaints, according to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Why It Matters
Food recalls of this scale are critical tools in protecting public health. In this case, the presence of wood fragments in processed meat products presents a risk of oral injury or choking.
Contaminants like wood, metal, or plastic are among the leading causes of food recalls in the U.S. Because such materials can be difficult to detect once products are frozen, widespread recalls help prevent potentially serious harm to consumers, especially children, who are a common audience for corn dog and pancake stick products.
The USDA’s classification of the recall as Class I—indicating a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences—highlights the urgency of removing affected products from the shelves.
What To Know
The recalled items include six specific products manufactured by Hillshire Brands, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods: State Fair Beef Corn Dogs 12-count (32 oz); State Fair Corn Dogs 16-count (42.72 oz); State Fair Fiesta Cheese Jalapeño Corn Dogs (4 oz); State Fair Corn Dogs 6-count (16 oz); Jimmy Dean Sausage Pancake Stick 12-count (12/2.5 oz); and Jimmy Dean Blueberry Pancake Sausage on a Stick 12-count (12/2.5 oz).
These items were sold at Kroger and affiliated banners including Dillons, Baker’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, City Market, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, QFC, Smith’s, Food 4 Less and Foods Co., with distribution covering major portions of the Midwest, South, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region.
Nationwide, the full recall affects approximately 58 million pounds of food products manufactured by Hillshire Brands between March 17 and September 26, 2025. In addition to retail sales, some of these items were distributed to schools and Department of Defense facilities, although the USDA noted that the school distribution was not part of the National School Lunch Program.
All recalled products carry establishment numbers “EST-582” or “P-894”, printed on the packaging. Consumers should check use-by dates and return any affected items to the point of purchase or discard them.
Full lists of affected products and labels are posted on the FSIS website.
What Happens Next
Consumers are encouraged to monitor updates from FSIS and check their freezers. The recall is active and ongoing.
