The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a health alert on April 11 about several soup and bowl products that may be contaminated with foreign material — specifically wood.
These products were distributed to restaurants and institutional locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The FSIS warns that more products could be added to the list, possibly affecting other states nationwide.
Why This Alert Matters
Foreign materials in food, such as pieces of wood, can cause serious injuries like choking or damage to teeth if swallowed. Although no illnesses have been reported, this contamination poses a risk to consumers.
Food recalls and alerts are important tools to protect public health. They happen when a food product is found to be unsafe due to contamination, undeclared allergens, or harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria.
According to a Civic Science survey from December 2024, 80% of Americans say they worry about food recalls — showing just how concerned people are about food safety.
What You Should Know
The affected soups are served in foodservice settings, such as restaurants and institutions — they are not sold in retail stores or grocery shelves.
These soups are distributed fresh or frozen, not canned, and shipped directly to places that prepare food for customers or residents.
Here’s a list of the soups under alert, including their use-by or sell-by dates:
- Campbell’s Chicken Tortilla Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 24, 2026; Sell by Dec 15, 2026
- Campbell’s Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 7, 2026; Sell by Nov 3, 2026
- Campbell’s Wicked Thai Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 1, 2026
- Health Request Mexican Chicken Tortilla (P-17644) – Use by Oct 27, 2026
- Life Cuisine Vital Pursuit Southwest Style Taco Bowl (P-17644) – Use by Mar-Apr 2026
- Molly’s Kitchen Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 7, 2026; Oct 28, 2026; Dec 11, 2026
- Molly’s Kitchen Chicken Chili (P-17644) – Use by Oct 9, 2026
- Molly’s Kitchen Chicken Enchilada Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 28, 2026; Nov 10, 2026; Dec 11, 2026
- Molly’s Kitchen Mexican Chicken Tortilla (P-17644) – Use by Nov 13, 2026
- Sysco Chicken Tortilla Soup (P-17644) – Use by Nov 10, 2026
- Verve Spicy Chicken Nacho Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 7, 2026; Nov 3, 2026
- Verve Wicked Thai Soup (P-17644) – Use by Oct 7, 2026
- Crafted Market Coconut Chicken Thai Style Soup (CA-711) – Various lot codes with best-by dates May–June 2025
The contamination was discovered after an FSIS facility reported a recall of an FDA-regulated ingredient: cilantro.
What Experts Say
Dr. Mark Fischer, a regional medical director at International SOS, told Newsweek:
“Swallowing metals or other foreign objects in food can be dangerous. They might cause cuts or internal injuries, sometimes needing surgery to remove. If you swallow something unusual, it’s important to see a healthcare professional right away.”
What Happens Next?
FSIS is continuing investigations to find out if more products or states are affected. Consumers should stay updated by checking the FSIS website regularly for new information.
If you have questions or concerns about food safety, you can call the FSIS consumer hotline at 888-674-6854 or report problems online through their Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.
