Hard plastic contamination in popular bratwursts has triggered Johnsonville to pull over 22,000 pounds of product from store shelves across ten states, potentially threatening consumers with serious internal injuries.
Quick Takes
- Johnsonville has recalled 22,672 pounds of cheddar bratwurst sausages due to hard plastic contamination discovered by consumers.
- Affected products were produced on February 5, 2025, at the Momence, Illinois facility and distributed to ten states including Wisconsin, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.
- The recalled packages are 19-ounce trays containing five “Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst” with package code B9FOD and establishment number “Est. 1647” on the front label.
- No injuries have been reported, but consumers are advised to either dispose of these products or return them to the place of purchase.
Nationwide Recall Impacts Ten States
Johnsonville, LLC has initiated a sweeping recall of its cheddar bratwurst products after discovering potentially dangerous foreign material contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall of approximately 22,672 pounds of cheddar bratwurst sausages on April 5 after the company received multiple consumer complaints about hard plastic fragments in the meat products. The affected bratwursts were manufactured on February 5, 2025, at the company’s Momence, Illinois facility and subsequently shipped to retail locations across ten states including Wisconsin, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The FSIS, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of meat products nationwide, has classified this as a Class II recall, indicating a moderate health risk where consumption of the contaminated product could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. Hard plastic fragments pose a serious concern when present in food items, potentially causing injuries to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract of consumers who might accidentally ingest them. The timing of this recall is particularly problematic as grilling season approaches in many parts of the country.
Johnsonville recalls over 22,000 pounds of cheddar bratwurst due to potential plastic contamination in several states including Kentucky and Indiana. https://t.co/cyUwRuRhnU
— WHAS11 News (@WHAS11) April 5, 2025
How to Identify Affected Products
Consumers concerned about potentially contaminated products should check their refrigerators and freezers immediately. The recalled items are packaged in 19-ounce sealed firm tray packages containing five pieces of “Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst” with the package code B9FOD. Additionally, these products can be identified by the establishment number “Est. 1647” printed on the front label. This code is crucial for distinguishing affected products from safe Johnsonville items that remain approved for consumption. If you’ve recently purchased Johnsonville cheddar bratwursts, checking these specific identification markers is essential.
“The recalled items were produced on Feb. 5. 19 ounce sealed firm tray packages containing five pieces of ‘Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst’ and the package code B9FOD are subject to recall,” according to the FSIS.
The FSIS reported that the contamination issue was first identified when Johnsonville received two separate consumer complaints about finding hard plastic pieces in the bratwurst products. Following these complaints, the company promptly notified federal regulators and initiated the voluntary recall process. Despite the serious nature of the potential contamination, federal officials have confirmed that there have been no reported injuries or adverse reactions connected to consumption of these products so far, which represents some good news amid the concerning recall.
What Consumers Should Do
The FSIS and Johnsonville are strongly advising consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them under any circumstances. Anyone who has the recalled bratwursts in their possession should either discard them immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. The potentially serious nature of hard plastic contamination means that even visual inspection cannot guarantee safety, as fragments may be embedded within the meat products and not visible from the exterior packaging or even when the product is cut open.
Consumers with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Johnsonville Consumer Relations Coordinator Amanda Fritsch at 888-556-2728. Additionally, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 is available for those seeking more information about food safety or the recall process. The FSIS also advises that consumers who believe they may have experienced injury or illness from consuming the affected bratwursts should contact their healthcare provider immediately. As with all food recalls, the agency continues to conduct recall effectiveness checks to ensure retailers and distributors are properly removing the contaminated products from the supply chain.
