Another massive food recall for Americans is underway as more than 730,000 pounds of breakfast hashbrowns have been pulled after plastic pieces up to 8mm in size were discovered in the products.
While mainstream media downplays the hazards, these contaminated items from major food supplier Lamb Weston could end up on plates at America’s most popular fast-food chains, putting families at risk of choking and internal injuries.
Lamb Weston Inc., one of America’s largest producers of frozen potato products, initiated the massive recall in mid-April.
The recall affects 34,801 oval-shaped hashbrown patties distributed to restaurants and food service accounts in Arizona, Hawaii, and several international locations, including Japan, Kuwait, Taiwan, and the UAE.
The Idaho-based company discovered plastic pieces ranging from 1mm to 8mm in size within their products.
Meanwhile, the FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, indicating that consuming the contaminated items could result in potential physical harm.
The hazards include choking, internal injuries, and gastrointestinal issues.
Lamb Weston is not just any food producer—it is a major supplier to chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, Popeye’s, and Pizza Hut.
While the company has not clarified which of these popular chains received the contaminated products, many families could be unknowingly exposed to these dangerous plastic fragments.
Moreover, the pull comes at a challenging time for Lamb Weston, which describes itself as “one of the world’s largest producers and processors of frozen french fries, waffle fries, and other frozen potato products.”
The company has faced market volatility due to changing consumer preferences and has specifically noted problems with decreased demand for larger fry orders at McDonald’s.
Even more concerning, this incident follows previous quality control failures. Lamb Weston has faced recalls in the past for listeria contamination and other foreign objects in their products.
At the same time, employees have raised serious concerns about workplace conditions at the company’s facilities, with one worker stating bluntly: “I do fear for my safety at work.”
Customers are being notified of the recall through various methods, including email, fax, letter, press release, telephone, and visits.
The FDA has labeled the recall as “ongoing,” meaning more potentially dangerous products could still be in circulation or sitting in restaurant freezers waiting to be served.
Although no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported, consumers are advised to be vigilant when dining out, especially at fast-food establishments serving Lamb Weston products.
The company recommended that anyone in possession of the recalled hashbrowns should discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase.
Anyone experiencing adverse effects after consuming potentially contaminated products should seek immediate medical attention.
This alarming incident highlights ongoing concerns about food safety standards and quality control in America’s food supply chain.
With regulatory oversight seemingly insufficient to prevent such contaminations, American families are left to wonder what other hazards might be lurking in their everyday food items.
