More than 22,000 pounds of cheddar bratwurst were recalled after some customers reported finding hard plastic in the product, prompting a warning from federal food safety officials.
The products were distributed to grocery stores in ten states and may still be in consumers’ freezers, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
Outside of regular office hours, Newsweek contacted Johnsonville LLC via email for a comment. When asked for a comment, the FSIS pointed Newsweek to its press release.
Why It Matters
The recall is due to potential contamination with hard plastic, which can cause dental injury or choking if consumed.
A product recall is issued when a food manufacturer or government agency determines that a product poses a risk to consumers. Contamination with foreign materials, undeclared allergens, and potential exposure to harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria are examples of such risks.
Recalls are typically classified by severity, and while not all involve an immediate threat, they are conducted as a precaution to protect public health.
Food recalls cause great concern among many Americans. According to a Civic Science report from December 2024, 80% of survey respondents were concerned about food recalls.
States Affected by Sausage Recall
What To Know
The FSIS announced on Saturday that Johnsonville, LLC, based in Momence, Illinois, is recalling 22,672 pounds of its product, “Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst” produced on February 5, 2025.
The affected items have the code “B9FOD” and the establishment number “EST. 1647” on the label.
The recalled bratwursts are sold in 19-ounce sealed firm trays that hold five sausages.
The products were distributed to retail locations in Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The problem was discovered after Johnsonville informed FSIS that it had received two consumer complaints about hard plastic found in the product.
FSIS stated in the recall announcement that there have been no confirmed reports of injury caused by the consumption of these products.
It also stated that anyone concerned about an injury should contact a health care provider.
What People Are Saying
Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director at International SOS, previously told Newsweek: “It can be dangerous to consume metals or other foreign objects found in food…[They] can cause cuts or internal injury and may need to be removed via a surgical procedure. If you swallow any foreign objects, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.”
Byron D. Chaves, a professor at the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, told Newsweek: “This is a case where foreign material present in the product may represent a physical hazard.
This hazard, hard plastic, and many other physical hazards such as metal and rocks/stones can cause illness or injury to the consumer, including laceration, cuts to the tongue or gum, perforation, occlusion (choking), typically occurring immediately or shortly after consumption. Other injuries, such as infection, may follow.”
He added: “People should be most concerned about still having the product at home. We have a habit of going to the grocery store, putting items on the shelves or in the fridge, and then forgetting about them until we need them or are hungry.
In this case, the product does not appear to be ready to eat, so consumers may store it in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze it for a few months. If we don’t pay attention, we may unintentionally consume a product that poses a health risk.”
What Happens Next
Anyone who purchased the product is urged not to eat it. Instead, they should either discard the item or return it to the retailer for a refund. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Amanda Fritsch, Consumer Relations Coordinator, at 888-556-2728 or anachtweyfritsch@johnsonville.com.
