Nestlé is issuing a massive Hot Pockets recall on 762,615 pounds of pepperoni-flavored product that could be contaminated with pieces of glass and hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on January 15.
There have now been four different consumer complaints from people who found “extraneous material” in their Hot Pockets. That caused Nestlé to issue the recall on several specific batches of Garlic Buttery Crust Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pockets Value Packs (12-count).
This is a USDA Class I recall, meaning, “This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death," according to the FSIS. As Nestlé explains in a press release, “Impacted products could pose a choking or laceration risk and should be not be consumed.” So far the company has only received one report of a minor oral injury from someone who ate an affected Hot Pocket.
The recalled products, which were shipped to and sold in stores nationwide, will be stamped with a best-before date of February 2022 and one of these batch codes: 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614, or 0321544614. The packaging will also have "EST. 7721A" inside the USDA mark of inspection, which is located in the lower right of the front of the package. If you've got one of the recalled products in your freezer, you can throw it out or return it to the place of purchase. (And if you think you may have taken a bite out of a Hot Pocket with pieces of glass or plastic in it, definitely think about seeing a doctor.)
Meanwhile, Nestlé says they are working closely with the FSIS on the Hot Pocket recall. “The quality, safety, and integrity of Nestlé USA and Hot Pockets products remain our number one priority,” the company statement reads. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this action represents to both our consumers and retail customers."
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