WASHINGTON (September 25, 2026). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Fontanini Foods LLC is recalling approximately 2,320 pounds of raw, frozen pork breakfast sausage products over possible foreign material contamination.
Specifically, according to the USDA FSIS notice, the recalled sausage may contain clear, hard plastic. Fontanini Foods discovered the problem after receiving two customer complaints about plastic in the product. So far, no injuries or adverse reactions have been confirmed in connection with the recall.
Fontanini Foods recall: quick summary
Fontanini Foods LLC is recalling approximately 2,320 pounds of raw, frozen Fontanini Pork Sausage Links that may contain clear, hard plastic. According to FSIS, the company produced the affected sausage on June 23, 2026.
In particular, the recall covers 10-pound cardboard box cases marked “Fontanini PORK SAUSAGE LINKS,” “ITEM 393,” and “PACKED ON 06/23/2026.” Additionally, the boxes bear the establishment number “EST. 6944” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Meanwhile, Fontanini Foods shipped the products to distributors in California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada for use in foodservice establishments, including restaurants. Importantly, FSIS said no confirmed injuries or adverse reactions had been reported.
Official recall details
- Recall announcement date: September 25, 2026
- Announced by: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS)
- Company: Fontanini Foods LLC
- Brand: Fontanini
- Product: Fontanini Pork Sausage Links
- Amount recalled: Approximately 2,320 lbs.
- Issue: Possible foreign material contamination, specifically clear, hard plastic
- Package size: 10-lb. cardboard box cases
- Item number: 393
- Establishment number: EST. 6944
- Production date: June 23, 2026
- Package marking: “PACKED ON 06/23/2026”
- Distribution: Distributors in California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada for foodservice use, including restaurants
- Reported injuries or adverse reactions: None confirmed
- Foodservice action: Do not serve the affected product. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
- Recall contact: Fontanini Foods at [email protected]
- Food safety questions: USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854
What happened?
According to the USDA FSIS recall notice, Fontanini Foods LLC recalled approximately 2,320 pounds of raw, frozen pork breakfast sausage over possible foreign material contamination.
Specifically, the company produced the affected sausage on June 23. The recall covers 10-pound cases of Fontanini Pork Sausage Links marked with item number 393 and establishment number “EST. 6944.”
Additionally, Fontanini Foods shipped the sausage to distributors in California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada. The distributors then supplied the product for use in foodservice establishments, including restaurants.
According to FSIS, the company discovered the problem after receiving two customer complaints about clear, hard plastic in the sausage. So far, no confirmed injuries or adverse reactions associated with the recalled product have been reported.
Meanwhile, FSIS expressed concern that foodservice establishments and restaurants may still have the product in their freezers.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Package size | Item number | Establishment number | Production date | Issue | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fontanini | Pork Sausage Links | 10-lb. cardboard box cases | 393 | EST. 6944 | June 23, 2026 | Possible clear, hard plastic | Distributors in CA, FL, MI, and NV for foodservice use |
What caused the issue?
FSIS said the recalled sausage may contain foreign material, specifically clear, hard plastic. Fontanini Foods identified the issue after two customers complained about finding plastic in the sausage.
However, the FSIS announcement does not explain how the plastic entered the product or identify a specific production failure. Therefore, the available recall information does not establish a root cause.
Foreign materials such as hard plastic can create a physical hazard when present in food. In this case, FSIS reported no confirmed injuries or adverse reactions linked to the affected sausage.
Food Safety Insight
“When hard plastic appears in a finished food, manufacturers should evaluate the process points where plastic components, guards, containers, or other materials could come into contact with the product,” said Cherry Ann S. Portugal, Professional Food Technologist at Source86.
“Routine inspection of these components, combined with documented maintenance and corrective actions when damage occurs, can help facilities address potential sources of foreign material before they affect additional production.”
Here’s what you should do
Foodservice establishments, restaurants, and distributors handling the affected product should:
- Check frozen Fontanini Pork Sausage Links for ITEM 393.
- Look for “PACKED ON 06/23/2026” on the shipping label.
- Check the box for establishment number “EST. 6944” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- Do not serve the recalled sausage.
- Throw the affected product away or return it to the place of purchase.
- Contact Fontanini Foods at [email protected] with recall questions.
- Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 with food safety questions.
- Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.
Behind the brand
Fontanini Foods is a foodservice-focused meat company based in McCook, Illinois. Specifically, the business specializes in Italian meats and sausages, pizza toppings, meatballs, and other meat products.
Oriano and Jennie Fontanini founded the company in 1960. Over the years, the business expanded its presence in the pizza and restaurant industries and opened its McCook production facility in 2008.
Later, Hormel Foods acquired Fontanini in 2017, adding the business to its foodservice portfolio. Notably, Hormel’s recall announcement says the affected breakfast sausage was sold only to foodservice operators and was not available for direct consumer purchase.
Other relevant recalls
Other Source86 coverage involving foreign material, meat products, and food safety controls includes:
- So Delicious Dairy Free Recalls Salted Caramel Cluster Frozen Dessert Over Foreign Material
- Star Meat Delivery Inc. Recalls Raw Pork, Beef, and Goat Products Produced Without Federal Inspection
- Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA Recall Guanciale Over Possible Listeria Contamination
Regulatory context
Foreign material prevention is an important part of food safety programs because physical contaminants can enter food during manufacturing, handling, or packaging. When complaints identify a potential issue, manufacturers need systems to trace affected production and locate inventory quickly.
In this case, the foodservice supply chain adds another consideration because the recalled sausage moved through distributors before reaching restaurants. As a result, accurate production records, inventory controls, and customer-level traceability can help businesses identify affected cases.
Meanwhile, FSIS conducts recall effectiveness checks to confirm that companies notify customers and remove recalled products from commerce. More broadly, manufacturers can strengthen foreign material controls through preventive procedures, equipment monitoring, complaint investigations, and clear escalation processes.
Ensuring safe eats
Ultimately, the Fontanini Foods recall highlights the importance of foreign material controls across food manufacturing and foodservice supply chains. In particular, customer complaints can help companies identify potential physical hazards that reach the marketplace.
To strengthen these safeguards, manufacturers can focus on equipment monitoring, preventive maintenance, complaint review, and detailed production records. Meanwhile, distributors and foodservice operators can maintain traceability and inventory records to locate affected products quickly.
Hard plastic in processed meat typically comes from equipment, packaging or conveyor parts, and Source86‘s co-packer audits include a review of how plastic components are inspected and replaced. Working with a meat co-packer? See how we audit for hard-plastic risks.
