What’s Prompting Johnsonville to Pull Cheddar Bratwurst From Shelves?

Megaphone announcing "Product Recall" on chalkboard background.

Johnsonville recalls over 22,000 pounds of cheddar bratwurst across 10 states after customers discovered hard plastic in their sausages, prompting federal safety officials to issue an urgent consumer alert.

Quick Takes

The recall affects “Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst” products produced on February 5, 2025, with code “B9FOD.”
Products were distributed to grocery stores in Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin
Two consumer complaints prompted the recall, though no injuries have been reported yet
Consumers should return or discard affected products and can contact Johnsonville at 888-556-2728 with questions

Contamination Discovery and Affected Products

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall after Johnsonville received two customer complaints about hard plastic materials in their cheddar bratwurst products. The affected sausages are packaged in 19-ounce sealed firm trays containing five bratwursts each. Customers should check for products marked with the code “B9FOD,” specifically those produced on February 5, 2025. This recall spans across ten states in the Midwest and Southeast regions, potentially affecting thousands of households.

While no injuries have been reported so far, health officials are taking the contamination seriously. The company has moved swiftly to remove potentially dangerous products from store shelves. Consumers who have purchased these bratwursts are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers immediately. The FSIS has classified this as a Class I recall, which indicates a “reasonable probability” that consuming the product could cause serious health consequences.

Johnsonville issued a voluntary recall Saturday for over 20,000 pounds of cheddar bratwurst product due to contamination concerns. https://t.co/DY10TwEcoF

— Delmarva Now (@MyDelmarvaNow) April 8, 2025

Health Risks and Expert Warnings

Medical experts caution that consuming products contaminated with foreign objects like hard plastic poses significant health risks. The danger extends beyond simple discomfort to potential serious injury. Consumers are being advised to be vigilant about checking product codes and to take immediate action if they’ve purchased the affected items. The recall highlights the importance of food safety monitoring systems and the critical role that consumer reporting plays in identifying potential hazards.

Food safety expert Byron D. Chaves emphasized the potential dangers, explaining that hard plastic and similar physical contaminants can cause immediate harm such as lacerations to the mouth and tongue, choking hazards, and even internal perforations. The risk is particularly concerning because many consumers may have these products stored in their refrigerators or freezers and might not be aware of the recall notice until they’re ready to prepare the sausages.

Consumer Instructions and Related Food Safety Concerns

Customers who have purchased the affected bratwurst products should either return them to the store of purchase for a refund or discard them immediately. For any questions about the recall, consumers can contact Amanda Fritsch, Johnsonville’s Consumer Relations Coordinator, at 888-556-2728 or by email. Those who believe they may have consumed contaminated products and are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

This recall comes on the heels of a similar contamination issue with Coca-Cola products. Recently, Coca-Cola recalled over 10,000 cans distributed in Illinois and Wisconsin due to plastic contamination. The FDA classified that recall as Class II, indicating potential temporary health consequences. Both recalls highlight a troubling pattern of quality control challenges facing major food and beverage manufacturers and underscore the importance of robust inspection processes to ensure consumer safety.