Nestlé recalls Pepperoni Hot Pockets over contamination fears

US-based Nestlé Prepared Foods Company has decided to recall nearly 762,615lb of not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) Pepperoni Hot Pockets product, as it may have been contaminated with hard plastic and pieces of glass.

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the frozen NRTE Pepperoni Hot Pockets was produced from 13 November 2020 through 16 November 2020, with a 14-month shelf life.

The product subject to recall comprises 54oz carton packages containing 12 ‘Nestlé Hot Pockets Brand Sandwiches: Premium Pepperoni, which is made with pork, chicken and beef pizza garlic buttery crust’.

The product that is being recalled by the company bears an establishment number ‘EST. 7721A’ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

FSIS noted that the product was shipped to retail locations across the US.

The issue was identified by the company after it received four consumer complaints of extraneous material found in the Pepperoni Hot Pocket product.

Nestlé Prepared Foods also received one report of a minor oral injury, which was caused due to consumption of this product. The FSIS said it has not received any other reports of injury or illness from consumption of this product.

FSIS in its communication said that anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers have been urged not to eat the products and either dispose or return them to the place of purchase. The FSIS is also concerned that some products may be in restaurant freezers and has advised them not to serve these items.

In December 2020, Nestlé Prepared Foods Company recalled nearly 92,206lb of Lean Cuisine Baked Chicken meal products as they may have been contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of white hard plastic.