Canned beef stew RECALLED nationwide over wood fragments

• Over 256,000 lbs of Dinty Moore canned beef stew recalled nationwide due to wood fragment contamination. The USDA classified it as a Class I recall, indicating serious health risks (e.g., choking, internal injuries). Affected cans (20 oz.) have lot code T02045 and a “best by” date of February 2028.
• This follows multiple recent recalls for foreign contaminants (wood, metal, plastic) in processed foods, including Nestle frozen meals and Johnsonville bratwursts, revealing systemic gaps in manufacturing quality control.
• Wood is hard to identify in thick/saucy foods, and recalls often rely on consumer complaints – meaning contaminants frequently reach store shelves or homes before action is taken.
• Consumers should inspect food visually, follow FDA/FSIS alerts, report foreign objects and contact manufacturers. The USDA allocated $14.5 million to strengthen state inspection programs, but industry accountability remains critical.
• The incident highlights risks beyond visible contaminants – like chemical residues, microplastics or unlabeled additives – emphasizing shared responsibility among regulators, companies and the public for food safety.

More than 256,000 pounds (lbs) of canned beef stew have been recalled over wood fragments found in the product.

On May 28, Hormel Foods Corporation issued a nationwide recall of Dinty Moore canned beef stew due to contamination with wood fragments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed the recall, putting it under the Class I category that indicates “a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death.”

The recall affects 20-ounce cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew produced on Feb. 4, 2025. The affected cans bear the lot code T02045 and a “best by” date of February 2028. These cans were shipped to grocery shelves across the country and may still be sitting in home pantries.

While biting into a piece of wood might seem more unsettling than dangerous, food safety experts warn it can pose real risks. Sharp-edged fragments may cause injuries in the throat or digestive tract and, in some cases, even lead to choking.

The issue came to light only after Hormel received three separate consumer complaints. Consumers are being urged to check their cabinets and discard any affected cans – or return them to the store for a refund. Hormel has set up a hotline for questions.

What’s slipping through the cracks?

This isn’t an isolated incident. In just the past few months, several food recalls have been issued due to contamination by foreign materials – wood, metal and plastic.

In March, Nestle USA recalled a variety of frozen meals after reports of “wood-like material,” including one suspected choking case. The following month, FSIS issued a public health alert for various soup and bowl products in the Midwest that were also at risk of wood contamination.

Other recent alerts involved metal shards in pork carnitas from Texas-based Cargill Meat Solutions and plastic pieces in over 22,600 lbs of Johnsonville cheddar bratwursts, showing a pattern of recurring safety breaches in processed food manufacturing.

These incidents reveal a troubling truth. Foreign materials in packaged food may be more common than consumers realize.

Food manufacturing happens on a massive scale with heavy machinery, conveyor systems and high-speed processing lines. In this environment, a small incident – like a damaged wooden pallet, a splintered shipping crate or broken equipment – can introduce contaminants into food products.

While many facilities use metal detectors and X-ray scanners, wood is difficult to detect due to its variable shape and density, especially in thick or saucy foods like stew. That makes detection before packaging especially challenging.

More concerning is the fact that many recalls only occur after consumers file complaints. This means the contamination is discovered after the product has reached store shelves or home pantries.

For many families, canned and shelf-stable foods are a daily necessity. Whether for budget, convenience or emergency preparedness, these items are often staples. When they’re compromised, consumer trust takes a hit.

This case raises deeper concerns. Are food manufacturers doing enough to catch contaminants before products are shipped? Are inspection protocols robust enough to protect public health? And is the current recall system more reactive than preventive?

To address ongoing safety concerns, the USDA recently allocated $14.5 million in new funding to help states bolster their meat and poultry inspection programs. Officials say this will support local agencies that ensure products meet safety standards before they reach consumers.

Still, responsibility also lies with manufacturers and with consumers who stay informed and vigilant. Here are a few proactive steps to take:

• Visually inspect food, especially canned or frozen items, by transferring them to a bowl before heating and eating.
• Stay informed through food safety alert services offered by FSIS or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Report any foreign objects to both the manufacturer and federal agencies, as consumer reports often trigger investigations.
• Read labels carefully and don’t hesitate to reach out to food companies for clarification on safety practices.

What else is hiding in food?

If wood can find its way into a sealed can of stew, it prompts a broader question: What other contaminants, visible or not, might be making their way into our meals?

Beyond physical fragments, scientists and advocates have raised concerns about invisible contaminants – residues from industrial chemicals, microplastics or additives that don’t show up on labels but accumulate in the body over time. While these contaminants can’t be felt on the tongue, it doesn’t make them less dangerous. (Related: Half a million pounds of canned beef recalled due to lead contamination.)

Recalls like this one serve as reminders that food safety isn’t just a system. It’s a shared responsibility between regulators, companies and the public.

Watch the following news report that tackles the question of whether canned food can be toxic.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Pollutants and contaminants affect food supply from farm to plate.

Nanoplastics in canned goods might me damaging your digestive tract.

“BPA-free” not enough: Endocrine disruptors are in your food, too.

Sources include:

FSIS.USDA.gov 1

TheEpochTimes.com

FSIS.USDA.gov 2

FSIS.USDA.gov 3

FSIS.USDA.gov 4

Brighteon.com