20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY…
Recalled by Hormel Foods Corporation
Meat & poultry recall
Hormel Foods Corporation
Class I — most serious
There is a reasonable chance that using this product could cause serious health problems or death.
Hormel Foods Corporation has recalled 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY…, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). The recall was reported on May 28, 2025 and was initiated on May 28, 2025. It is classified as a Class I recall, which means there is a reasonable chance that using this product could cause serious health problems or death.
Below is a plain-English summary of what was recalled, why it was recalled, how to tell whether you have the affected product, and what steps you can take. For the complete and most current details, you can view the USDA record linked further down this page.
What was recalled?
This recall covers 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY…, with approximately 160,918 lbs recovered affected. The company behind the recall is Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Nationwide. The USDA describes the product as: “20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY FEB 2028” and lot code “T02045” printed on the can. The lot code may have an additional number at the end.”
Why was 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY… recalled?
According to the USDA, the stated reason for the recall is: “Product Contamination. WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 – Hormel Foods Corporation, a Tucker, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Insp….” In plain terms, this recall relates to foreign material.
A foreign material recall means that pieces of something which should not be in food — such as metal, plastic, or glass — may be present. These can pose a choking hazard or cause injury. Recalls like these are issued to remove the affected product before anyone is hurt.
What should you do?
If you think you may have bought 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY…, compare it against the product description and identifying codes before using it.
The general guidance for a matching product is to stop using it and follow the instructions in the official USDA recall notice, which may include a repair, replacement, refund, or safe disposal. When in doubt, contact Hormel Foods Corporation or your local health authority.
About this recall
This recall was distributed in Nationwide. RecallRadar summarizes recall information from public USDA data to make it easier to understand. We are an independent service and are not affiliated with the USDA or any government agency, so please always refer to the official source for the authoritative record — and note the “last synced” date shown on this page, since recall details can change over time.
Who this recall affects
This recall matters to anyone who bought 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY…. Even if you feel fine, it's worth checking what you have on hand rather than assuming you were missed.
Distribution listed in the notice: Nationwide.
What foreign material actually means
A foreign material recall means that pieces of something which should not be in food — such as metal, plastic, or glass — may be present. These can pose a choking hazard or cause injury. Recalls like these are issued to remove the affected product before anyone is hurt.
In this case, the concern applies specifically to 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY… from Hormel Foods Corporation — not to the wider category of products. Similar items from other brands aren't part of this recall.
How to check whether you have it
USDA-inspected meat and poultry carry an establishment number inside the round USDA mark of inspection, usually on the front of the package or on the sealed edge. Lot codes and pack dates are typically printed near that mark.
Compare what you find against the product details listed above. If the codes don't match, your item isn't part of this recall.
What to do if you already bought it
Do not eat the product, even if it looks and smells normal — contamination is usually invisible.
Return it to the store for a refund, or throw it away in a sealed bag so pets and wildlife can't reach it.
If it touched other food or surfaces, wash those surfaces and your hands with hot soapy water. When in doubt, contact Hormel Foods Corporation or your local health department.
Full recall details
- Status
- Completed
- Date reported
- May 28, 2025
- Recall started
- May 28, 2025
- Distributed in
- Nationwide
Product Contamination. WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 – Hormel Foods Corporation, a Tucker, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The canned beef stew item was produced on February 4, 2025.Show full text ▾
Product Contamination. WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 – Hormel Foods Corporation, a Tucker, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The canned beef stew item was produced on February 4, 2025. The following product is subject to recall [ view labels ]: 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY FEB 2028” and lot code “T02045” printed on the can. The lot code may have an additional number at the end. The product subject to recall bears establishment number “EST 199G” printed on the can. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide. The problem was discovered after the establishment notified FSIS that they had received three consumer complaints reporting pieces of wood in the beef stew product. There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Hormel Foods Corporation at 800-523-4635 or media@hormel.com. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.What you can do
Check whether any product you have matches the description and codes above. If it does, stop using it and follow the instructions in the official recall notice. When in doubt, contact the company or your local health authority.
Quick answers
Why was 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY… recalled?+
According to the USDA: Product Contamination.
How serious is this recall?+
Class I — most serious. There is a reasonable chance that using this product could cause serious health problems or death.
What should I do if I have 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY…?+
Compare your product against the description and identifying codes on this page. If it matches, stop using it and follow the instructions in the official recall notice — this usually means returning it for a refund or discarding it. When in doubt, contact the company or your local health authority.
Opens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) data for this recall.
Recall number: USDA-018-2025. Information last synced from the FDA on July 31, 2026.