Why is Nestle recalling some Lean Cuisine, Stouffer's meals?

Nestl USA issued a voluntary recall of some of its frozen Lean Cuisine and Stouffer's meals due to a safety issue. Wood-like material was found in the food by customers, which might choke the consumer.

The company opted to recall certain batches of these meals, which were sold throughout the United States between September 2024 and March 2025.

Four particular products are included in the recall:

These items were manufactured from August 2024 to March 2025 and shipped to large retail outlets throughout the US. Nestl has assured that no other products from the Stouffer's or Lean Cuisine brands are involved.

What caused the recall?

The recall followed a report of one customer choking on a bit of wood-like substance in one of the meals. Nestl has initiated an investigation into the cause of the foreign particle.

The company stated that it was an isolated incident and reiterated that food safety is its highest priority. They are closely coordinating with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure consumer protection.

What should customers do?

If you have already bought any of the recalled items, do not eat them. Customers are advised to return the contaminated meals to the store from which they purchased them for a full refund or exchange.

To make sure whether your product is affected, check the side of the packaging for the ten-digit batch code. The code will indicate whether the product is included in the recall.

Nestl's customer service department is at service to assist. You can call them on (800) 681-1676, Monday through Friday, between 9 am and 6 pm EST. Nestl has apologized for the disruption and promised customers that measures are being implemented to avoid such problems in the future.

Food recalls are becoming increasingly frequent as businesses strive to resolve safety issues. The recalls tend to occur due to contamination, foreign matter, or mislabeling errors. The FDA reports that 2025 has already witnessed an increase in food recalls for numerous reasons.

Most of these recalls stem from hidden allergens in food. A few of the allergens can be harmful to individuals with certain allergies. Nine major food allergens are identified in the United States: eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts, and peanuts.