It may not be lunch time yet, but before you head to the microwve, check your freezer—certain Lean Cuisine and Stouffer’s frozen meals are being recalled due to the possible presence of wood fragments. Nestlé USA has voluntarily recalled and pulled select batches of these products after multiple consumer complaints, including a report of a potential choking incident.
According to Nestlé’s recall notice, the company is investigating how the contamination happened. Nestlé says this is an isolated issue and is working with the FDA and USDA to address it. “We are taking this action after consumers contacted Nestlé USA about this issue, including one potential choking incident to date.”
What’s Being Recalled?
This recall affects popular frozen meals from Stouffer’s and Lean Cuisine, sold at major retailers nationwide.
The impacted products were distributed between September 2024 and March 2025 and include:
Lean Cuisine
- Butternut Squash Ravioli (Batch Code: 4214595511, Best Before: SEPT2025)
- Spinach Artichoke Ravioli
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry
Stouffer’s
- Party Size Chicken Lasagna (96oz)
Batch codes can be found on the side of the product packaging. If you have one of these meals in your freezer, check the code before consuming.
Why This Recall Matters
Finding foreign objects in food isn’t just a quality issue—it’s a serious safety concern.
Wood fragments in frozen meals create a choking hazard and could potentially cause internal injuries if consumed. While no severe injuries have been confirmed, Nestlé has taken this precautionary step to reremove the affected products from shelves.
The company is still determining how the contamination occurred and is working with the FDA and USDA to ensure safety measures are in place.
If you have one of these recalled frozen meals, here’s what to do next.
- Check the batch code on the packaging.
- Do not eat the product, even if it looks fine.
- Return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund or replacement.
If you have questions, contact Nestlé USA at (800) 681-1676 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. EST).
How the Recall System Works
Food recalls like this are part of an important system designed to prevent harm before it happens.
When a potential contaminant—whether foreign material, bacteria, or an undeclared allergen—is identified, companies work with the FDA and USDA to issue voluntary recalls. These recent recalls serve as a safeguard to remove potentially unsafe products before widespread harm occurs.
While recalls can feel overwhelming, they serve an important purpose—making sure potentially harmful food doesn’t reach more consumers. Instead of waiting for widespread problems and, recalls aim to stop the risk early, even if that means pulling products off shelves before they’ve caused serious harm keeping consumer trust intact.
For official details, check the FDA recall advisory page or visit Nestlé USA’s website for updates.