20.10.2026 08:10
Approximately 718 tons of meat and chicken products determined not to have been stored at the appropriate temperature due to a malfunction in the cooling system in the US are being recalled from the market. The highest-level health risk warning has been issued for sausages, salami, ham, and various deli products sold nationwide, including in New York. Authorities have asked that the products, which could cause serious health problems and death if consumed, absolutely not be eaten.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced the recall of a total of 1,584,361 pounds—approximately 718 tons—of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products produced by Kayem Foods.
The decision, announced on October 17, was stated to cover products produced between March 31 and October 7, 2026.
WARNING AT THE HIGHEST RISK LEVEL
Officials classified the recall as "Class I," the highest hazard level. This category is used when there is a reasonable probability that consumption of the products could cause serious health problems or even death.
It was stated that the products may have fallen outside the required cold-chain conditions during storage, while it was reported that no confirmed illness linked to the recall had yet been reported.
MALFUNCTION IN COOLING SYSTEM EMERGED
The recall process was stated to have begun with a retail customer's complaint that the delivered products were warmer than normal.
An investigation determined that a malfunction had occurred in the cooling system in the storage area and that some products may have remained above safe storage temperatures.
The company announced that the products were collected as a precaution and that the problem in the cooling system had been fixed.
SAUSAGES, HAM AND TURKEY PRODUCTS ALSO ON THE LIST
The recalled products include many ready-to-eat items such as sausages, salami, ham, bacon, smoked meat, turkey breast, chicken sausage and meatballs.
It was reported that products sold under brands such as Kayem, Al Fresco, Triple M, McKenzie, Deutschmacher, Essem and Jordan's were distributed to supermarkets, deli counters and food-service establishments across the U.S. It was announced that the recall was not limited to New York and that the products were also sent to Hong Kong.
"DO NOT CONSUME UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES" WARNING TO CONSUMERS
U.S. officials emphasized that products within the scope of the recall should not be consumed. Consumers were asked to throw the products away or return them to the stores where they were purchased.
Consumers can check the numbers "EST. M/P 7839," "EST. P 20935A" and "EST. M 9520" on the USDA inspection mark on packages, it was stated. However, to confirm whether products are within the scope of the recall, the brand, lot number and expiration date must also be compared.
STATEMENT FROM THE COMPANY
Kayem Foods President and CEO Matt Monkiewicz said they take food safety seriously and apologized to consumers for the incident. Company management announced that the problem in the cooling system had been fixed and that necessary measures had been taken to prevent a similar situation from recurring.
Officials drew attention to the fact that some of the recalled products may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers and asked for checks to continue.