Frozen food recalls remain a regular pressure point for grocery shoppers as manufacturers move quickly when contamination concerns surface. This week, that focus narrowed to MorningStar Farms, which recalled two frozen plant-based products sold across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica.
MorningStar Farms names 2 recalled frozen products
MorningStar Farms, a brand owned by Mars Inc., announced on June 18 that it was voluntarily recalling select packages of Buffalo Chik’n Nuggets and Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties, according to the company statement cited by ABC News. The action followed customer complaints tied to the possible presence of plastic in the food.
The recalled nuggets were sold in 10.5-ounce bags with UPC code 000 28989 10110 5 and “Better If Used Before” dates of July 7 and July 8, 2027, ABC News reported from the company release. The recalled sausage patties were sold in 8-ounce bags with UPC code 000 28989 10094 8 and “Better If Used Before” dates of July 5, July 6, and July 7, 2027.
The company said the products were distributed to grocery stores nationwide. MorningStar Farms also stated that no other MorningStar Farms products are included in this recall.
What shoppers around the country know, and what remains unclear
For shoppers in the U.S., the confirmed impact is broad distribution rather than a store-by-store list. ABC News reported that the recalled products were sent to grocery stores nationwide, which means the issue is not limited to one region, one warehouse network, or one chain.
That said, the company has not released a comprehensive public list of affected stores, cities, or states. It also has not identified how many bags were sold, how many retail locations received shipments, or whether some areas saw heavier distribution than others.
Puerto Rico and Costa Rica were also included in the distribution footprint described in the company release. For consumers trying to determine local exposure, the most specific publicly confirmed identifiers remain the product names, package sizes, UPC codes, and “Better If Used Before” dates.
Why the recall happened
The reason for the recall, as described by the company, was possible plastic contamination. MorningStar Farms initiated the action after receiving customer complaints, according to the company statement summarized by ABC News.
In a statement provided to ABC News on June 22, a Mars spokesperson said the company moved quickly after learning of the potential issue, investigated the matter, and identified foods that might be affected. The spokesperson also said the company had addressed the issue and enhanced its quality control procedures to help prevent a similar problem in the future.
The company told ABC News that no injuries had been reported in connection with the recall. That detail matters because recalls can be triggered by a hazard assessment or customer complaints even before confirmed injuries are reported.
What this means for shoppers now
For customers, the practical effect is straightforward: only the specifically identified bags are part of the recall, and the company said those products should not be eaten. MorningStar Farms directed customers to discard the recalled items and contact the company for a full refund.
The company told ABC News that consumers with questions can contact MorningStar Farms Consumer Affairs by phone or text during weekday business hours. Because no full retailer list has been released, shoppers checking home freezers will likely need to rely on the package details rather than expecting a location-specific notice.
MorningStar Farms said no other products in its brand lineup are affected. As of the company statement reported by ABC News on June 22, the recall remained centered on those two frozen items and the listed date codes.