Frozen Tater Tot Recall: What You Need to Know Before You Snack
Oh yes, it’s another recall alert. And this time… you’re going to be sad. We need to have a serious talk, tater tot lovers. Put down the ketchup bottle and listen up, because your favorite crispy, golden potato pillows might be harboring a nasty surprise.
If you’ve recently stocked up on frozen goodies—specifically Ore-Ida or Sysco Imperial brand tots—you’re going to want to check your freezer, like, right now. Why? Because McCain Foods USA Inc. just issued a voluntary recall that has us all clutching our pearls (and our stomachs).
Here is the lowdown on the frozen tater tot recall, served up with a side of “let’s keep you safe.”
The Nitty Gritty: What Happened?
On December 3, 2025, McCain Foods USA Inc. made the tough call to pull nearly 40,000 cases of its potato products from circulation. And just when we thought we were in the clear, the FDA swooped in on January 6, 2026, and slapped a Class II classification on this recall.
Now, I know “Class II” sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but in FDA-speak, it basically means: “Using this product might cause temporary health issues, but it probably won’t kill you.” That’s comforting… sort of?
Why Are They Being Recalled?
Here is the part that might make you cringe. These bags of frozen joy are being recalled because they might contain clear hard plastic fragments.
Yes, you read that right. Plastic. In your tots.
The last thing anyone wants when biting into a soft, warm potato barrel is to crunch down on a piece of shrapnel. It poses a choking hazard and could definitely do a number on your teeth or gums. So, let’s agree that plastic is not a valid food group.
Is Your Stash Affected by the Recall?
Don’t panic just yet. Not every single tater tot in the world is bad. We need to be specific here. This affects roughly 38,853 cases across two specific brands.
Here is exactly what you need to look for on the packaging:
1. Ore-Ida Tater Tots
If you buy in bulk (we see you, and we respect it), check those massive 30-pound cases.
- Item Number: OIF00215A
- UPC Code: 1 00 72714 00215 8
- Batch Codes to Watch For:
- 1005479808
- 1005477924
- 1005478883
- 1005480444
- 1005480875
- 1005481627
- 1005481770
2. Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrels
These come in cases containing six 5-pound bags.
- Item Number: 1000006067
- UPC Code: 1 07 34730 62740 0
- Batch Codes to Watch For:
- 1005482717
- 1005483735
- 1005484702
- 1005485462
- 1005485660
Where Was This Stuff Sold?
This isn’t just a small, local issue. These bad boys were shipped to 26 states. If you live in any of the following places, pay extra attention:
Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
So, What Should You Do?
First off, breathe. The silver lining here is that these specific products—given the giant case sizes—were mostly sold to commercial kitchens. We are talking cafeterias, restaurants, and maybe that one friend who has an industrial freezer in their garage. They aren’t the standard little bags you grab at the corner store.
However, safety first, folks.
- Check the Freezer: If you have bought bulk frozen potatoes lately, check the codes.
- Do Not Eat Them: This feels obvious, but if you find a match, do not cook them. Do not try to “pick the plastic out.” Just don’t.
- Toss or Refund: You can throw them away (safely, so raccoons don’t eat plastic tots either), or take them back to where you bought them for a refund.
Stay safe, check your labels, and maybe stick to homemade mash for a few days until the dust settles.
