58 Million Pounds of Corn Dogs and Sausages Recalled Over Risk of Wood Pieces: What You Need to Know
58 Million Pounds of Corn Dogs and Sausages Recalled Over Risk of Wood Pieces: What You Need to Know
When you bite into a corn dog, you expect a crunchy batter, a hot dog inside, maybe a stick — but wood splinters? That’s exactly what triggered one of the largest food recalls in recent memory. In a recall announced in September 2025, Hillshire Brands is pulling approximately 58 million pounds of corn dog and sausage-on-a-stick products because pieces of wood may have been embedded in the batter.
This isn’t a minor issue. The contamination is serious, with several consumers already reporting injuries. As the recall unfolds, here’s a deeper look at what happened, what to watch for, and how to stay safe.
The Scope of the Recall
The recall includes select State Fair Corn Dogs on a Stick and Jimmy Dean Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick. The products were manufactured between March 17, 2025 and September 26, 2025, at one facility in Haltom City, Texas.
The recalled items carry establishment numbers EST-582 or P-894 on their packaging. Distribution was widespread: retail outlets, online platforms, schools, and even Department of Defense facilities are affected.
Why This Happened
According to Hillshire and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the contamination occurred because wooden sticks — normally used to hold the sausage or hot dog — entered the production process before battering. In other words, some wooden pieces were left in the product inside the batter, not just as the intended stick.
Hillshire is calling the issue “isolated” to that one facility, though the scale of the recall suggests the risk could be present even in products already in consumers’ freezers or institutional kitchens.
Reported Injuries & Consumer Complaints
At least five consumers have reported injuries from wood splinters in their corn dogs or sausages. Complaints triggered the recall, according to USDA and Hillshire statements. While exact details of the injuries haven’t been disclosed, they underscore the seriousness of the contamination.
These reports suggest that even processed, battered foods are not immune to contamination, especially when components meant to be external parts (sticks) accidentally migrate into edible parts.
What Consumers Should Do
If you have any of the affected products:
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Do not consume them.
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Check packaging carefully for the product name, production dates (March 17–September 26, 2025), and establishment numbers (EST-582 or P-894).
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Dispose of or return the product to the place of purchase.
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If uncertain, contact Hillshire’s customer care or FSIS for guidance.
The USDA urges that these products may still exist in home freezers, schools, or institutional storage — so check carefully.
Impact on Institutions & Schools
Because some of these products were distributed to schools and Department of Defense facilities, the scope of impact is especially alarming in institutional settings where large batches may be served.
Facilities should immediately:
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Audit their inventories
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Remove any affected items
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Notify students or staff
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Coordinate with suppliers or food service providers for replacements
Why Recalls Like This Are Serious
Foreign object contamination (wood, metal, plastic, etc.) is a leading cause of food recalls in the U.S. because it’s unpredictable and can lead to serious harm. In this case, the contamination is particularly dangerous because the wood is embedded in the battered product — not just a surface issue.
Large recalls like this also shake consumer confidence. Brands have to rebuild trust, ensure rigorous quality control, and be transparent about how they’re addressing failures.
What Hillshire & USDA Are Saying
Hillshire says the issue is localized to one plant and is acting out of an abundance of caution. The FSIS is conducting recall effectiveness checks to ensure the products are properly removed from circulation. Retail distribution lists will be made public to help institutions identify where affected products were shipped.
At present, it's still unclear whether consumers will be eligible for full refunds.
What This Means for Food Safety
This recall is a stark reminder of how even trusted food products can fall prey to unexpected contamination. It underscores the importance of:
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Advanced quality assurance and checks
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Strong manufacturing controls and traceability
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Rapid response to consumer complaints
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Transparency in communicating risk to the public
For consumers, it reinforces that vigilance — checking labels, dates, and establishment numbers — remains a key line of defense.
Final Thoughts
A recall of 58 million pounds is massive in any context — and when the contamination involves something as unexpected and dangerous as wood fragments, it grabs attention for good reason.
If you have or have had these products, take action: don’t eat them, check your freezer, return or discard them, and spread the word. Home kitchens, schools, and institutions must all be alert.
Above all, this is a moment for brands like Hillshire to rebuild trust. If they can transparently address the mistake, strengthen oversight, and show they’ve learned from this, they may emerge stronger. If not, their reputation could take a lasting hit.
And for consumers — it’s a reminder that even packaged foods are not risk-free, and vigilance is always warranted when it comes to what we eat. #FoodRecall #FoodSafety #CornDogRecall #HillshireBrands #HealthAlert
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