The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health warning for canned meat products due to insufficient processing. This warning is being issued to inform consumers not to consume the product. While no recall has been requested as the product is not available to consumers, it is important that individuals are aware of the potential risk.
The canned meat in question was manufactured by Hormel Foods Co-op Services LLC in Austin, Minnesota on August 17, 2023. The specific product subject to the public health warning is a 12-ounce metal can of “SPAM Classic” with the date “BEST BY AUG 2026” and lot code A08173 printed on the bottom. The establishment number “EST. 199” is stamped inside the USDA inspection mark.
These products were shipped to HEB retail store in Texas, and no other retailers are involved in this alert. The issue came to light after the company realized that some products may not have undergone proper processing for commercial sterility. At this time, there have been no reports of side effects from consuming these products, but if you have any concerns about possible injuries or illnesses, it is advised to contact your healthcare provider.
FSIS is concerned that some consumers may still have these products in their pantries or refrigerators. If you have purchased these canned meat products, it is strongly recommended that you do not consume them. Instead, they should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS conducts recall effectiveness checks periodically to ensure that companies with recalls have appropriately notified customers and taken steps to prevent the availability of these products to consumers.
If you have any questions regarding this public health warning, you can contact Hormel Foods’ Consumer Engagement Team at 1-800-523-4635 or cresponse@hormel.com. For media inquiries, please contact the Hormel Foods Public Relations Group at 507-437-5611 or media@hormel.com. If you have any food safety questions, the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854), and you can also email questions to MPHotline@usda.gov. Additionally, consumers have 24-hour access to the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/ if they need to report problems with meat, poultry, or egg products.