If you have hot dogs, bacon, ham or sausages in your fridge, it’s worth checking the label. Kayem Foods, the Massachusetts company behind Fenway Franks, has recalled nearly 1.6 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products that may not have been kept cold enough in storage.
Key Takeaways
- Kayem Foods Inc. has recalled approximately 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, covering 68 items including hot dogs, bacon, ham, sausages, bologna, kielbasa, corned beef and turkey breast.
- The products may have been stored at unsafe temperatures after a cooling system at one of the company’s warehouses malfunctioned.
- The USDA classified the recall as Class I, its highest risk level, meaning there’s a reasonable chance eating the products could cause serious health problems.
- The products were shipped to stores and foodservice locations nationwide, as well as to Hong Kong.
- No illnesses have been reported, but the USDA says not to eat the products. Throw them away or return them to the store.
What’s happening
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall on October 17, 2026. According to the agency, Kayem received a complaint from a retail customer on October 1 about products arriving warm. The company then discovered that a warehouse cooler holding a range of ready-to-eat products had experienced temperature problems.
The affected products were produced between about March 31 and October 7, 2026, and were stored and shipped between June 7 and October 14. They include well-known names such as Fenway Franks and Old Tyme hot dogs, along with chicken sausages, bacon, ham, bologna, kielbasa, bratwurst, beef brisket, corned beef, turkey breast and liverwurst, in various package sizes.
Kayem’s president and CEO said the company is recalling the products “out of an abundance of caution” and that the cooling problem has been fixed.
How to check your fridge and freezer
Look for these establishment numbers printed inside the USDA mark of inspection on the package:
- EST. M/P 7839
- EST. P 20935A
- EST. M 9520
The full list of 68 recalled products, with UPC codes and lot information, is available on the USDA FSIS recall page and on Kayem’s website. Check the brand, product name, UPC and lot code against that list. Hot dogs and sausages are often frozen, so check your freezer too.
Why temperature matters
Ready-to-eat meats like hot dogs and deli meats are often eaten without further cooking, so proper refrigeration is one of the main safeguards against bacteria. When these foods sit at warmer temperatures, harmful bacteria can multiply. The USDA did not identify any specific contamination, and no one has been reported sick.
Ready-to-eat meats are a known source of Listeria, a bacterium that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. It’s especially dangerous for people who are pregnant, adults 65 and older, and anyone with a weakened immune system. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, fatigue and, in more serious cases, headache, stiff neck, confusion or loss of balance. They can appear anywhere from a few days to several weeks after eating contaminated food.
What to do
- Don’t eat recalled products, even if they look and smell normal.
- Throw them away or return them to the store where you bought them.
- Clean your fridge. Wash shelves and drawers that held the products with hot, soapy water.
- Call your doctor if you ate a recalled product and develop symptoms, especially if you’re pregnant, over 65 or have a weakened immune system. Mention what you ate.
- Questions? Contact Kayem Customer Service at 800-426-6100 or info@kayem.com, or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854).
A general safety reminder
Even when there’s no recall, people at higher risk for Listeria are advised to heat hot dogs and deli meats until steaming hot before eating them. Keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and eat opened packages of hot dogs within about a week.
This isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Sources:
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Kayem Foods Inc. recalls meat and poultry products due to possible temperature abuse. October 17, 2026.
- CBS Boston. October 19, 2026.