Kayem recall: 1.58 million pounds of bacon, deli meats and hot dogs recalled over 'temperature abuse'

Kayem Foods, the Chelsea, Massachusetts, meat company behind Fenway Franks, is recalling approximately 1,584,361 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry. The products may have experienced “temperature abuse” during storage, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The recall covers bacon, deli meats, hot dogs and sausages shipped nationwide and to Hong Kong. Searches for “Kayem bacon and deli recall” passed 20,000 in the US on Google Trends.

What happened

According to FSIS, a retail customer complained on Oct. 1 about warm product temperatures at delivery. Kayem investigated and found it had stored various ready-to-eat products in a warehouse cooler that experienced temperature deviations. The company’s own statement blames “a cooling system malfunction at one of the company’s warehouses.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are undertaking this voluntary recall,” Kayem president and CEO Matt Monkiewicz said. “Our management team takes full responsibility. We have learned from and corrected the issue and will not allow this to happen again.”

There have been no confirmed reports of illness, FSIS said.

Which dates are affected? (Two versions)

The two official notices describe the window differently:

• FSIS: products produced approximately March 31 to Oct. 7, 2026.
• Kayem: products stored and shipped between June 7 and Oct. 14, 2026.

Neither notice explains the difference, so rely on the UPC and lot list rather than the dates alone.

What products are recalled?

FSIS published a full list of products and UPC codes. CBS Boston’s review of the list includes:

• hot dogs, including Fenway Franks
• bacon
• bologna, kielbasa and bratwurst
• beef brisket and corned beef
• ham, turkey breast and liverwurst
• al fresco chicken sausage

The recalled products carry establishment numbers “EST. M/P 7839,” “EST. P 20935A” or “EST. M 9520” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products came in various weights.

What to do

1. Check your fridge and freezer for Kayem-made products. Look for the establishment numbers above inside the USDA inspection mark.
2. Match the UPC and lot code against the FSIS product list, linked from the USDA recall notice.
3. If it matches, don’t eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store, FSIS says.
4. Feeling sick? Contact a healthcare provider.

Questions: Kayem customer service is at 800-426-6100 or info@kayem.com (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET). The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is 888-674-6854.

Why “temperature abuse” matters

Ready-to-eat meats are meant to be eaten without further cooking, so they rely on staying cold. When they sit too warm, bacteria can grow. FSIS hasn’t named a specific pathogen here and hasn’t reported illnesses. The recall is precautionary because the products’ cold chain can’t be confirmed.

CBS Boston noted that this isn’t Kayem’s first recall: in 2025, the company recalled more than 24,000 pounds of chicken sausage over possible plastic contamination.

FAQ

Is Fenway Franks part of the recall? Fenway Franks hot dogs are among the recalled items, per CBS Boston. Check the UPC and lot code.

Has anyone gotten sick? No confirmed illnesses, FSIS says.

Where was it sold? Retail and foodservice locations nationwide, plus Hong Kong.