Is your breakfast safe? Popular favorite recalled over hidden plastic choking hazard!
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For many of us, a hot, crispy hash brown is the perfect way to start the day—whether it’s at home, at your favorite diner, or as a side with your morning drive-thru coffee.
But before you reach for that golden potato patty, there’s an urgent warning you need to know about: a massive recall of frozen hash browns due to a potentially dangerous plastic contamination.
Let’s break down what’s happening, what you need to watch for, and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
What’s Been Recalled—and Why?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class II recall for over 730,000 pounds of Lamb Weston’s oval-shaped frozen hash browns.
That’s around 34,801 cases of hash browns distributed across the United States and several other countries like Japan, Kuwait, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The reason? Some packages may contain small pieces of plastic, ranging in size from a tiny grain of sand to as large as a pencil eraser (1 to 8 millimeters).
While that might not sound like much, even a small piece of plastic can pose a serious choking hazard—especially for children, older adults, or anyone who might not notice a foreign object in their food. Ingesting sharp or jagged plastic could also cause internal injuries.
Which Products Are Affected?
The recall covers several specific item and trade numbers. If you have any frozen hash browns in your freezer, check for these:
How Did This Happen?
According to Lamb Weston, the contamination was discovered through X-ray testing—part of their enhanced food safety protocols.
The company says most of the affected products were still in their control when the issue was found, and distributors have been notified to remove the products from circulation.
Lamb Weston insists that, as of now, there is “no product at the consumer level,” meaning they believe the hash browns never made it to store shelves or restaurant kitchens.
However, with such a large recall, it’s always better to double-check your freezer and stay alert for updates.
Who Is Lamb Weston?
You may not recognize the name, but Lamb Weston is North America’s largest frozen potato product manufacturer.
They supply hash browns, French fries, and other potato favorites to restaurants, retailers, and food service distributors in over 100 countries—including fast food giants like McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s.
In fact, McDonald’s alone accounts for about 14% of Lamb Weston’s sales.
While it’s unclear if any of the recalled hash browns were shipped to McDonald’s locations in Arizona and Hawaii, the company says all clients have been informed.
Also read: Is your tap water safe? What to know about the boil water warning affecting thousands
A Troubling Pattern of Recalls
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Lamb Weston has faced food safety issues.
In 2022, over a million pounds of their Alexia Organic seasoned hash browns were recalled due to listeria contamination—a much more serious Class I recall, which means there was a risk of severe illness or even death. These potatoes were sold in the US and throughout East Asia and the Middle East.
Previous recalls in 2018 and 2019 also involved foreign objects (hard, clear plastic) in their hash brown products.
What Should You Do?
Even a small piece of plastic can cause a dangerous blockage or injury.
If you or someone you care for has difficulty chewing or swallowing, be extra cautious with any food that’s been subject to a recall.
Also read: Bought this meat brand last summer? You may be owed money from a $3.1 million settlement
Behind the Scenes: Worker Safety and Food Quality
It’s not just consumers who are affected by these recalls.
Reports from Lamb Weston employees from non-profit news media organization More Perfect Union 2022 have highlighted concerns about harsh working conditions, long hours (up to multiple 12-hour shifts), and even workplace injuries.
“I do fear for my safety at work.” Lamb Weston worker Guadalupe Wilcox said. “If I get sick, I get attitude. If I get hurt, I get punished.”
Read next: Tomato recall linked to salmonella: What you need to know to stay safe
Have you ever found a foreign object in your food? How do you stay on top of food safety news? Do you have tips for checking your pantry and freezer for recalled items? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
But before you reach for that golden potato patty, there’s an urgent warning you need to know about: a massive recall of frozen hash browns due to a potentially dangerous plastic contamination.
Let’s break down what’s happening, what you need to watch for, and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
What’s Been Recalled—and Why?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class II recall for over 730,000 pounds of Lamb Weston’s oval-shaped frozen hash browns.
That’s around 34,801 cases of hash browns distributed across the United States and several other countries like Japan, Kuwait, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The reason? Some packages may contain small pieces of plastic, ranging in size from a tiny grain of sand to as large as a pencil eraser (1 to 8 millimeters).
While that might not sound like much, even a small piece of plastic can pose a serious choking hazard—especially for children, older adults, or anyone who might not notice a foreign object in their food. Ingesting sharp or jagged plastic could also cause internal injuries.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall of over 730,000 pounds of Lamb Weston frozen hash browns after plastic fragments were detected in the product, posing a potential choking hazard. Image source: Lamb Weston.
Which Products Are Affected?
The recall covers several specific item and trade numbers. If you have any frozen hash browns in your freezer, check for these:
- Item number M7204, GTIN 10044979923813
- Item number M0053, GTIN 50195500004896
- Item number M7414, GTIN 10044979923820
- Item number M7422, GTIN 10044979922687
How Did This Happen?
According to Lamb Weston, the contamination was discovered through X-ray testing—part of their enhanced food safety protocols.
The company says most of the affected products were still in their control when the issue was found, and distributors have been notified to remove the products from circulation.
Lamb Weston insists that, as of now, there is “no product at the consumer level,” meaning they believe the hash browns never made it to store shelves or restaurant kitchens.
However, with such a large recall, it’s always better to double-check your freezer and stay alert for updates.
The recall affects several item numbers and was classified as a Class II recall, meaning the plastic pieces could cause physical harm or short-term medical issues if ingested. Image source: Lamb Weston.
Who Is Lamb Weston?
You may not recognize the name, but Lamb Weston is North America’s largest frozen potato product manufacturer.
They supply hash browns, French fries, and other potato favorites to restaurants, retailers, and food service distributors in over 100 countries—including fast food giants like McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s.
In fact, McDonald’s alone accounts for about 14% of Lamb Weston’s sales.
While it’s unclear if any of the recalled hash browns were shipped to McDonald’s locations in Arizona and Hawaii, the company says all clients have been informed.
Also read: Is your tap water safe? What to know about the boil water warning affecting thousands
A Troubling Pattern of Recalls
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Lamb Weston has faced food safety issues.
In 2022, over a million pounds of their Alexia Organic seasoned hash browns were recalled due to listeria contamination—a much more serious Class I recall, which means there was a risk of severe illness or even death. These potatoes were sold in the US and throughout East Asia and the Middle East.
Previous recalls in 2018 and 2019 also involved foreign objects (hard, clear plastic) in their hash brown products.
Lamb Weston claims that the affected products were largely still in their control and that none have reached consumers, with clients and distributors notified of the recall as a precaution. Image source: Lamb Weston.
What Should You Do?
- Check Your Freezer: Look for the affected item and GTIN numbers listed above.
- Don’t Take Chances: If you find a recalled product, do not eat it—even if it looks and smells fine.
- Contact the Store or Manufacturer: Most stores will offer a refund or replacement for recalled products. You can also reach out to Lamb Weston directly for guidance.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for recall alerts from the FDA or your local grocery store. Food safety issues can happen at any time, and early information is your best defense.
Even a small piece of plastic can cause a dangerous blockage or injury.
If you or someone you care for has difficulty chewing or swallowing, be extra cautious with any food that’s been subject to a recall.
Also read: Bought this meat brand last summer? You may be owed money from a $3.1 million settlement
Behind the Scenes: Worker Safety and Food Quality
It’s not just consumers who are affected by these recalls.
Reports from Lamb Weston employees from non-profit news media organization More Perfect Union 2022 have highlighted concerns about harsh working conditions, long hours (up to multiple 12-hour shifts), and even workplace injuries.
“I do fear for my safety at work.” Lamb Weston worker Guadalupe Wilcox said. “If I get sick, I get attitude. If I get hurt, I get punished.”
Read next: Tomato recall linked to salmonella: What you need to know to stay safe
Have you ever found a foreign object in your food? How do you stay on top of food safety news? Do you have tips for checking your pantry and freezer for recalled items? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
