P.F. Chang’s Frozen Food Recall Issued Due to Risk of Metal Pieces

More than 195,000 pounds of frozen chicken and beef products sold under the P.F. Chang label have been recalled, due to risk that metal fragments may be contained in the frozen food, which could pose a choking or laceration hazard for consumers. 

The P.F. Chang’s frozen food recall was announced by the U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) on July 15, after the manufacturer was notified by a supplier that metal fragments were observed entering sugar products used in the making of the recalled entrees sauce mixes. To date, no injuries or reports have been received.

The metal fragments are believed to measure between 2 and 9 millimeters in diameter. The issue was first discovered on July 1, after an employee from a supplying sugar company indicated he observed metal fragments while dispensing sugar.

The initial report on July 1 prompted the manufacturer of the P.F. Chang’s meals, ConAgra Foods, to issue a recall of 3,806 pounds of frozen chicken and beef entrees. Since the recall, the manufacturer’s investigation has indicated more products could have been contaminated with metal fragments.

On July 15, ConAgra Foods expanded the Class I recall to include an additional 191,791 pounds of the frozen chicken and beef entrees, bringing the total amount recalled to 195,597 pounds of product.

Included in the recall are 22 ounce bagged meal packages of P.F. Chang’s Home Menu meals sold in various flavors. The recalled flavors include Signature Spicy Chicken, Mongolian Style Beef, Beef with Broccoli, Sweet & Sour Chicken, General Chang’s Chicken, Garlic Chicken with Dan Dan Noodles, and Grilled Teriyaki with Lo Mein Noodles. The products have varying “Best By” and case code numbers but can be identified by locating the recalled establishment number “EST.233” or “EST.P-115” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

For a full list of the recalled products please visit the FSIS recall notice.

The recalled P.F. Chang’s products were processed by ConAgra Foods of Russellville, Arkansas from May 31, 2016 to June 22, 2016 and were shipped to various grocery retailers and distributors nationwide.

Giant Foods issued its own recall notice for the P.F. Chang’s products, urging customers to return he items to the store of purchase for a full refund. Customers who purchased the recalled bagged meals through Giant may contact the stores customer service team at 1-888-814-4268 for further information.

The recall has been given Class I status by the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), indicating there is a reasonable probability that the consumption of the products will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

The FDA routinely recalls food products due to foreign object contamination hazards that commonly enter food from old and degrading machines on processing lines. Very often, the issue behind fragmentation entering food is due to the manufacturer failing to clean processing equipment, or due to a mechanical failure that either breaks or flakes off metal pieces.

Similar problems led to a Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats and Frosted Mini-Wheats recall issued in October 2012 that impacted 282,000 cases of the cereal. An investigation determined that a defective part may have caused pieces of flexible metal mesh large enough to cause choking and laceration hazards may have entered the cereal products.

In August 2015, Bimbo Bakeries recalled 48,000 packages of wheat and whole grain bread sold under the Sara Lee, L’Oven Fresh, Kroger and other popular after three customers reported glass shards in their bread products. An investigation by the FDA and manufacturer found a light bulb above the assembly line had shattered, sending shards of glass into the bread products below.

Consumers are being asked to stop consuming the recalled products immediately and either discard of any remaining inventory or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers with further questions may contact ConAgra at 1-800-252-0634.