Are you at risk? Contaminated soups spark urgent health alert in these 4 states
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Attention, soup lovers and health-conscious readers!
A recent health alert from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has caused a stir, and if you live in certain states, it’s important to pay attention.
The alert, issued on April 11, warns of a possible contamination in various soup and bowl products—and the unexpected culprit? Wood.
You might think a little wood in your soup is just a strange accident, but it’s more than that—it’s a health hazard.
Pieces of wood in food can cause serious risks like dental damage or even choking.
While these products are not being sold directly to consumers, they have been distributed to restaurants and other institutions, which means many could unknowingly be at risk.
What you need to know about the contamination
The affected products are foodservice varieties—sold to restaurants and institutional kitchens rather than grocery stores—and were distributed to locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has indicated that more products may be included in the alert, which could lead to widespread effects across the country.
The products were either frozen or fresh (refrigerated) and shipped out to various locations for use in meal preparation.
Here’s a list of some affected soups and their expiration dates:
The contamination was first noticed after a recall of cilantro, an FDA-regulated ingredient used in some of these soups.
Also read: Are your groceries really safe? Popular sausage brand issues recall over contamination concerns
The risks and expert advice
Dr. Mark Fischer, a regional medical director at International SOS, has emphasized the dangers of consuming foreign objects in food, which can cause internal injuries.
In some cases, surgical removal may be needed.
If you think you’ve consumed something that shouldn’t be there, it’s important to get medical attention right away.
Also read: This might be in your fridge! Morning must-have faces recall of nearly 490,000 pounds
What should you do next?
FSIS is investigating to determine if other products are involved in the contamination.
If you live in one of the affected states, make sure to check the FSIS website for updates.
The alert may expand to other products or regions, so staying informed is crucial.
For any concerns or questions about food safety, you can contact the FSIS hotline at 888-674-6854 or use their online complaint system.
When dining out, it’s always a good idea to ask about the source of the soups being served and whether they’re aware of the health alert.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to what we eat.
At The GrayVine, we know how important it is to stay informed about health alerts, especially for our community of seniors.
We encourage you to share this information with your loved ones so everyone can take the necessary precautions.
Read next: Alert: The FDA has issued its highest recall alert for this popular Costco item
Have you ever encountered a similar food safety issue? How do you keep yourself informed about food recalls and health alerts? Let’s talk in the comments below and share tips on how we can all stay safe while enjoying our meals!
A recent health alert from the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has caused a stir, and if you live in certain states, it’s important to pay attention.
The alert, issued on April 11, warns of a possible contamination in various soup and bowl products—and the unexpected culprit? Wood.
You might think a little wood in your soup is just a strange accident, but it’s more than that—it’s a health hazard.
Pieces of wood in food can cause serious risks like dental damage or even choking.
While these products are not being sold directly to consumers, they have been distributed to restaurants and other institutions, which means many could unknowingly be at risk.
Stay informed and stay safe—make sure your favorite soups are free from contaminants. Image Source: Pexels / Valeria Boltneva.
What you need to know about the contamination
The affected products are foodservice varieties—sold to restaurants and institutional kitchens rather than grocery stores—and were distributed to locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has indicated that more products may be included in the alert, which could lead to widespread effects across the country.
The products were either frozen or fresh (refrigerated) and shipped out to various locations for use in meal preparation.
Here’s a list of some affected soups and their expiration dates:
- Campbell's Chicken Tortilla Soup (P-17644) - Oct 24 2026; Dec 15 2026
- Campbell's Soup Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup (P-17644) - Oct 07 2026; Nov 03 2026
- Campbell's Wicked Thai Soup (P-17644) - Oct 1 2026
- Health Request Mexican Chicken Tortilla (P-17644) - Oct 27 2026
- Life Cuisine Vital Pursuit Southwest Style Taco Bowl (P-17644) - Mar 2026; Apr 2026
- Molly's Kitchen Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup (P-17644) - Oct 07 2026; Oct 28 2026; Dec 11 2026
- Molly's Kitchen Chicken Chili (P-17644) - Oct 09 20206
- Molly's Kitchen Chicken Enchilada Soup (P-17644) - Oct 28 2026; Nov 10 2026; Dec 11 2026
- Molly's Kitchen Mexican Chicken Tortilla (P-17644) - Nov 13 2026
- Sysco Chicken tortilla Soup (P-17644) - Nov 10 2026
- Verve Spicy Chicken Nacho Soup (P-17644) - Oct 07 2026; Nov 03 2026
- Verve Wicked Thai Soup (P-17644) - Oct 07 2026
- Crafted Market Coconut Chicken Thai Style Soup (CA-711) - Lot codes: 1 05025 BBD: 21-May-25, 1 05825 BBD: 29-May-25, 1 06325 BBD: 03-Jun-25, 1 03425 BBD: 05-May-25
The contamination was first noticed after a recall of cilantro, an FDA-regulated ingredient used in some of these soups.
Also read: Are your groceries really safe? Popular sausage brand issues recall over contamination concerns
The risks and expert advice
Dr. Mark Fischer, a regional medical director at International SOS, has emphasized the dangers of consuming foreign objects in food, which can cause internal injuries.
In some cases, surgical removal may be needed.
If you think you’ve consumed something that shouldn’t be there, it’s important to get medical attention right away.
Molly’s Kitchen Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup—among the products recently alerted due to potential contamination concerns. Image Source: FSIS.
Also read: This might be in your fridge! Morning must-have faces recall of nearly 490,000 pounds
What should you do next?
FSIS is investigating to determine if other products are involved in the contamination.
If you live in one of the affected states, make sure to check the FSIS website for updates.
The alert may expand to other products or regions, so staying informed is crucial.
For any concerns or questions about food safety, you can contact the FSIS hotline at 888-674-6854 or use their online complaint system.
When dining out, it’s always a good idea to ask about the source of the soups being served and whether they’re aware of the health alert.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to what we eat.
At The GrayVine, we know how important it is to stay informed about health alerts, especially for our community of seniors.
We encourage you to share this information with your loved ones so everyone can take the necessary precautions.
Read next: Alert: The FDA has issued its highest recall alert for this popular Costco item
Have you ever encountered a similar food safety issue? How do you keep yourself informed about food recalls and health alerts? Let’s talk in the comments below and share tips on how we can all stay safe while enjoying our meals!
