Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods has pulled a large volume of its baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler items from the market after a consumer found metal fragments in one package. The Richmond, Virginia, company acted following notification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. The recall covers products made between July 1 and July 29 that carry best-by dates extending into early August.
Scope of the Affected Items
Four distinct package sizes and varieties fall under the recall. They include both bulk aluminum pans and smaller cardboard trays, each wrapped in plastic. All bear the establishment numbers EST. 19979 or P-19979 and share the same range of best-by dates from July 8 through August 5, 2026.
- 62.4-ounce aluminum pan labeled “Ukrop’s Baked Spaghetti – Bulk”
- 14.8-ounce cardboard tray labeled “Ukrop’s Baked Spaghetti”
- 48-ounce aluminum pan labeled “Ukrop’s Chicken Cobbler – Bulk”
- 11.6-ounce cardboard tray labeled “Ukrop’s Chicken Cobbler”
These items reached retail stores across Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia, as well as Department of Defense outlets and online customers. The total weight recalled stands at 22,880 pounds.
Discovery and Regulatory Response
The issue surfaced when a customer contacted the company about a metal piece discovered in a fully cooked serving. Ukrop’s reported the finding to FSIS, which then verified the potential for foreign material contamination across the production run. No other complaints have been documented so far.
FSIS emphasized that the products should not be eaten. The agency noted that some packages may still sit in household refrigerators or freezers, prompting the public notice. Officials stressed that the recall targets only the listed items and does not extend to other Ukrop’s products.
Consumer Guidance and Next Steps
Anyone who purchased the recalled spaghetti or chicken cobbler should discard the items or return them to the point of sale. FSIS advises against attempting to inspect or salvage any portion of the product. Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the company or consult the FSIS website for updates.
Health authorities report no confirmed injuries linked to the items. Individuals who believe they may have consumed affected product and feel unwell are encouraged to reach out to a medical provider. The recall serves as a reminder of routine inspection processes that catch potential hazards before wider distribution occurs.
What Matters Now
Food recalls of this type highlight the importance of traceability in packaged meals. Retailers in the affected states have been instructed to remove the items from shelves, and online orders have been halted. The episode underscores how a single consumer report can trigger swift regulatory action across multiple channels.
Shoppers who regularly buy Ukrop’s comfort-food lines should verify package labels against the details released by FSIS. Staying alert to such notices helps limit exposure while investigations continue into the source of the metal fragments.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.