Kayem Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry after a cooling failure at one of its warehouses. The affected hot dogs, sausages, bacon, ham and deli-style products were sold nationwide under brands including Kayem, Al Fresco, McKenzie and Jordan's, and they reached major grocery chains such as Walmart and Stop & Shop. Consumers who bought any of them are advised not to eat them.
What went wrong in storage
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the products may have experienced temperature abuse while held in storage. The company found a cooling system malfunction at one of its warehouses that caused storage temperature deviations. The problem came to light after a retail customer reported warm product temperatures at delivery on Oct. 1, 2026. The company then determined that various ready-to-eat products had been kept in a warehouse cooler that experienced those deviations.
Which products and dates to check
All affected products were produced between March 31 and Oct. 7, 2026, and carry expiration dates ranging from May 2026 to February 2027. Packages should show establishment numbers EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520 printed inside the USDA mark of inspection. The FSIS list includes Kayem Old Tyme Beef & Pork Frankfurters, Fenway Franks, Applewood bacon, several Al Fresco chicken sausages, McKenzie ham and turkey breast, and Deutschmacher Honey Ham. Because the recall covers many SKUs and date ranges, shoppers should compare the UPC and expiration date on their packaging against the official list rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Where the products were sold and what to do
The FSIS does not list specific stores or states. Walmart has said the products were sold in stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and it has blocked sales of the items at registers and online. Stop & Shop reports affected product in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and select Connecticut stores, and says its New York and New Jersey stores were not affected. Customers can return impacted items for a full refund. The FSIS advises that recalled products be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase, and that consumers contact Kayem Foods through its website with questions.
What is not yet known
Officials have not confirmed any illnesses linked to the recalled products. The recall was issued as a precaution because the products may have been stored at unsafe temperatures, not because contamination has been proven in individual packages. Anyone who has eaten a recalled item and feels unwell should contact a health care provider, and anyone who has questions about a specific package should use the contact information the company has published.