Time for a quick fridge raid, New York.
Nearly 1.6 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry are being recalled nationwide, and some of it was sold right here in New York State.
On October 17, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Massachusetts-based Kayem Foods is recalling 1,584,361 pounds of products that may have experienced “temperature abuse” during storage.
In plain English: a warehouse cooler wasn’t keeping things cold enough.
It’s been labeled a Class I recall, the most serious level and its impact is rippling into New York.
Here are all of the essential details about this and how to know if you’re affected.
How did this happen?
The problem came to light after a retail customer complained that products arrived warm at delivery on October 1. Kayem investigated and found that a warehouse cooler storing ready-to-eat products had experienced temperature deviations.
The good news so far: no illnesses have been reported.
But FSIS is concerned some of these products may still be sitting in people’s fridges and freezers.
Which brands and products are affected
The recall covers products sold under nine different brands:
- Kayem
- Al Fresco
- Triple M
- McKenzie
- Deutschmacher
- Essem
- Genoa
- Jordan’s
- Winnisimmet
And it’s not just one or two items.
The list includes hot dogs, sausages, bacon, ham, turkey, bologna and kielbasa, plus chicken sausage, liverwurst, roast beef and more.
Even Kayem’s famous Fenway Franks made the list.
Was it sold in New York?
Yes. Walmart has confirmed it sold affected products at select stores in New York, along with Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. It hasn’t said which specific stores.
But don’t assume Walmart is the only place.
FSIS says the products went to retail and foodservice locations nationwide, and it will post retail distribution lists on its recalls page once they’re available.
How to check if yours is recalled
Grab whatever’s in your fridge or freezer and do a quick three-step check:
- Find the USDA mark of inspection (the little round stamp) and look for one of these numbers: EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520.
- Check the brand against the nine above.
- Compare the product, UPC and dates against the full FSIS product list, a 27-page PDF with photos of every label.
A heads up on dates: FSIS says the products were made between March 31 and October 7, 2026, while Kayem says they were stored and shipped between June 7 and October 14.
If the establishment number and product match the list, treat it as recalled. And don’t forget the freezer, since that pack of franks you stashed in August could fall inside the window.
What to do if you have one
Don’t eat it.
FSIS says to throw it away or return it to wherever you bought it for a refund. If you’ve eaten a recalled product and feel unwell, contact your doctor.
Questions? Call Kayem Foods Customer Service at 800-426-6100 or email info@kayem.com. You can also reach the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.
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