Alexei Volkov
Hot Pockets are stuffed, frozen sandwiches that are popular in the United States. They are sold under the brand name Hot Pockets and are owned by Nestlé. In January 2021, Nestlé recalled certain pepperoni Hot Pockets due to potential contamination with pieces of glass and hard plastic. This recall affected approximately 760,000 pounds of Hot Pockets and was considered a Class I recall, indicating a reasonable probability of adverse health consequences, including choking or laceration hazards, and even death. This incident raises concerns about the presence of plastic in Hot Pockets and the potential risks associated with consuming these products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for recall | Potential glass and plastic contamination |
| Company | Nestle |
| Product | Hot Pockets |
| Product type | Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets |
| Product weight | 54-ounce |
| Product count | 12-count packs |
| Best before date | February 2022 |
| Lot codes | 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614, and 0321544614 |
| Establishment number | EST. 7721A |
| Quantity recalled | 762,615 pounds |
| Injury reported | Minor oral injury |
| Recall classification | Class I |
| Risk | Choking or laceration |
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What You'll Learn
Hot Pockets recalled over plastic and glass contamination
In January 2021, concerns were raised over the contamination of Hot Pockets with pieces of glass and hard plastic. As a result, Nestlé Prepared Foods recalled certain pepperoni Hot Pockets. The recall was issued after four consumer complaints of "extraneous materials" in the product, with one report of a minor oral injury. The recalled foods were produced and packaged between 13 and 16 November 2020.
The recall applies to 54-ounce 12-packs of pepperoni Hot Pockets with a best-by date of February 2022 and lot codes 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614, and 0321544614. The establishment number "EST. 7721A" is printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging. Approximately 762,615 pounds of the recalled Hot Pockets were shipped to stores across the United States.
The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) classified the recall as Class I, which involves a "health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death." The FSIS urged consumers who purchased the recalled product to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
Nestlé USA issued a statement emphasizing the quality, safety, and integrity of its products and apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the recall. They also provided a toll-free number and a messaging service for consumers with questions about the recall. This incident highlights the importance of food safety and the role of regulatory bodies like the USDA and FSIS in protecting public health. It also underscores the responsibility of food manufacturers to take swift and decisive action when issues arise.
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Plastic and glass contamination led to choking and laceration hazards
In 2021, Nestlé Prepared Foods recalled certain pepperoni Hot Pockets due to potential plastic and glass contamination. The recall affected 54-ounce 12-packs of pepperoni Hot Pockets with a best-by date of February 2022 and specific lot codes. This issue was classified as a Class I recall by the USDA, indicating a health hazard that could potentially lead to serious adverse health consequences or even death.
The presence of plastic and glass contamination in Hot Pockets posed a significant risk to consumers, primarily in the form of choking and laceration hazards. Consuming the contaminated product could result in severe oral injuries, as evidenced by a reported case of minor oral injury associated with the consumption of the product.
Nestlé issued an apology to consumers, acknowledging the potential risks associated with consuming pieces of plastic and glass. The company urged consumers to check their freezers for any potentially affected Hot Pocket products and to dispose of them immediately. The recalled products were also eligible to be returned to the place of purchase.
This incident highlights the importance of food safety and the necessity of swift action by companies to address potential hazards. While it is uncommon for plastic or glass to end up in food products, it can happen during the manufacturing or packaging process. In this case, the contamination may have occurred during production, as Nestlé received similar complaints about plastic contamination in its Lean Cuisine baked chicken entrées.
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Nestlé's statement on the Hot Pockets recall
Nestlé Prepared Foods has recalled certain pepperoni Hot Pockets due to potential contamination with pieces of glass and hard plastic. The recall applies to 54-ounce 12-packs of pepperoni Hot Pockets with a best-by date of February 2022 and specific lot codes. The establishment number "EST. 7721A" is printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging.
Nestlé stated that the quality, safety, and integrity of its products are the company's top priority. They apologized for any inconvenience caused by the recall to both consumers and retail customers. Nestlé urged consumers with questions about the recall to contact Nestlé consumer services toll-free or send a message through their website.
The recall was initiated after four consumers reported finding foreign matter in their Hot Pockets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the Class I recall, which involves a health hazard situation with a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death. Approximately 762,615 pounds of the affected Hot Pockets were shipped nationwide.
Nestlé advised consumers to check for any potentially affected Hot Pocket products in their possession and dispose of them immediately. The recalled Hot Pockets were sold under the brand name "Hot Pockets" and consisted of meats and cheese in a microwaveable crust. The consumption of plastic or glass pieces could pose a choking or laceration hazard.
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Hot Pockets recall: a Class I recall
In January 2021, Nestlé Prepared Foods issued a Class I recall of their pepperoni Hot Pockets due to potential contamination with glass and hard plastic. The recall affected 54-ounce 12-packs of the product with a best-by date of February 2022 and lot codes 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614, and 0321544614. The establishment number "EST. 7721A" is printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging.
The recall was initiated after the company received four consumer complaints of "'extraneous materials" in the product, including one report of a minor oral injury. Nestlé stated that the quality, safety, and integrity of their products are their top priority and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the recall.
A Class I recall is the highest level of recall, indicating a hazardous situation where there is a reasonable probability that consuming the product will lead to severe adverse health consequences or even death. The presence of glass and hard plastic in the Hot Pockets posed a choking and laceration risk to consumers.
Consumers who purchased the recalled product were advised to dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase. The recalled Hot Pockets were shipped to stores across the country, with approximately 762,615 pounds of the potentially contaminated product distributed.
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Hot Pockets recall: consumer complaints
In January 2021, Nestlé Prepared Foods recalled certain pepperoni Hot Pockets due to potential contamination with pieces of glass and hard plastic. The recall was issued after the company received four separate consumer complaints of "extraneous materials" in the product. One consumer reported a "minor oral injury" associated with consumption.
The recalled Hot Pockets were produced from November 13 to November 16, 2020, and sold in 12-count packs as "Hot Pockets brand sandwiches: premium pepperoni made with pork, chicken and beef pizza garlic buttery crust." The products had a best before date of February 2022, with lot codes 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614, and 0321544614, and establishment number "EST. 7721A" printed on the side of the packaging.
The recall involved approximately 762,615 pounds of the product, which were shipped to stores across the country. The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall, stating that it was a Class I recall, the highest level, due to the potential health hazards associated with consuming the contaminated product. The FSIS warned that consuming the plastic or glass pieces could pose a choking or laceration hazard.
Nestlé issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the recall and emphasizing that the quality, safety, and integrity of its products are its top priority. The company urged consumers to throw away or return the recalled product and provided a toll-free number and email address for consumers with questions about the recall.
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Frequently asked questions
In January 2021, Nestlé recalled certain pepperoni Hot Pockets over concerns they may be contaminated with pieces of hard plastic. However, this only applied to 54-ounce 12-packs of pepperoni Hot Pockets with a best-by date of February 2022 and specific lot codes.
The recall was initiated because the consumption of plastic or glass pieces could pose a choking or laceration hazard. The USDA classified it as a Class I recall, which is the highest level, as it poses a high health risk, including adverse health consequences or death.
If you have a recalled Hot Pocket, do not consume it. You can throw it away or return it to the manufacturer.
In October 2021, Nestle recalled over 200,000 pounds of stuffed, frozen Hot Pocket Pepperoni Pizza sandwiches due to the presence of plastic. In addition, in January 2021, there was a report of a minor oral injury associated with the consumption of the recalled Hot Pockets containing glass and plastic.
In January 2021, Lean Cuisine, another Nestlé brand, issued a recall after receiving complaints about hard plastic found in several servings of its baked chicken entrée.
