
Nestlé recalls Lean Cuisine, Stouffer's frozen meals over 'wood-like material'
Nestlé USA has recalled some of its Lean Cuisine and Stouffer's products due to the potential presence of a "wood-like material."
The Arlington, Virginia-headquartered company announced the voluntary recall on Monday and said it applies to a limited quantity of Lean Cuisine and Stouffer's frozen meals.
Nestlé USA referred to the recall as "isolated," explaining that it applies to specific meals, including Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli, Lean Cuisine Spinach Artichoke Ravioli, Lean Cuisine Lemon Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry and Stouffer's Party Size Chicken Lasagna.
All the recalled meals were produced between August 2024 and March 2025, and distributed at major U.S. retailers between September 2024 and March 2025, according to Nestlé USA. The recall does not involve any other Lean Cuisine or Stouffer's products, the company added.
Here is what to know about the recall, including what to do with the impacted products.
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Has anyone been injured by the recalled frozen meals?
According to Nestlé USA, there's been one potential choking incident to date involving the recalled Lean Cuisine and Stouffer's meals. The company did not disclose the current condition of the individual or which meal they ate, but it did say it is "taking this action after consumers contacted Nestlé USA about this issue."
Customers can check if their products are a part of the recall by identifying the ten-digit batch codes on the side of the frozen meals' packaging, Nestlé USA said.
What should customers do with the recalled Stouffer's and Lean Cuisine meals?
Nestlé USA is advising people who have purchased the recalled meals to not prepare or eat them, but instead, return them to the store they were bought from for a replacement or full refund.
"We are actively investigating the source of the wood-like material," Nestlé USA said in a news release. "We are confident that this is an isolated issue, and we have taken action to address it."
The company said it's working with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on this recall and cooperating fully with both federal agencies.
"The quality, safety and integrity of our products remain our number one priority," Nestlé USA said. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this action represents to both our consumers and retail customers."
What are the batch numbers, best-before dates of the recalled Stouffer's and Lean Cusine meals?
Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli -- 4261595912 - OCT2025, 4283595912 - NOV2025, 4356595912 - JAN2026, 5018595912 - FEB2026 and 5038595912 - MAR2026.
-- 4261595912 - OCT2025, 4283595912 - NOV2025, 4356595912 - JAN2026, 5018595912 - FEB2026 and 5038595912 - MAR2026. Lean Cuisine Spinach Artichoke Ravioli -- 4311595912 - DEC2025, 5002595912 - FEB2026, 5037595912 - MAR2026 and 5064595912 - APR2026.
-- 4311595912 - DEC2025, 5002595912 - FEB2026, 5037595912 - MAR2026 and 5064595912 - APR2026. Lean Cuisine Lemon Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry -- 4214595511 - SEPT2025
-- 4214595511 - SEPT2025 Stouffer's Party Size Chicken Lasagna (96 ounces) -- 4262595915 - OCT2025, 4351595915 - JAN2026, 5051595915 - MAR2026 and 5052595915 - MAR2026
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.
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