Dangerous plastic fragments up to 8mm large have been discovered in Lamb Weston’s frozen hash brown patties, prompting an urgent recall of nearly 35,000 cases sold across the United States and internationally, putting vulnerable consumers at risk of choking hazards and potential teeth damage.
Key Takeaways
- Lamb Weston has recalled 34,801 cases of frozen hash brown patties due to potential contamination with sharp plastic pieces up to 8mm in size.
- The recall is classified as Class II by the FDA, indicating low but real health risks including choking hazards, particularly for infants, elderly adults, and post-surgery individuals.
- Affected products were distributed across the US and internationally to Japan, Kuwait, Taiwan, and the UAE, though Lamb Weston claims most contaminated products remained under company control.
- This marks Lamb Weston’s third significant plastic contamination recall since 2018, highlighting recurring quality control issues in the food production industry.
- The incident reflects a growing concern about microplastic pollution in food products, which has been linked to serious health risks including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Recurring Food Safety Issues at Lamb Weston
On April 19, 2025, Lamb Weston Inc. voluntarily initiated a recall of thousands of frozen hash brown patties after discovering potentially dangerous plastic fragments during routine X-ray testing. According to FDA reports, the plastic pieces could measure up to 8mm, creating significant choking hazards and risks of dental damage. Remarkably, the company chose not to issue a press release about the contamination, despite the recall affecting approximately 34,801 cases of product distributed across the United States and exported to international markets including Japan, Kuwait, Taiwan, and the UAE.
Lamb Weston has downplayed the severity of the situation, with a company spokesperson stating the recall was made “out of an abundance of caution” and claiming “there is no product at the consumer level currently; therefore, there is no risk to consumers,” said Lamb Weston spokesperson
However, this assurance contradicts the wide distribution of the product before the contamination was discovered, raising serious questions about the company’s transparency and consumer safety priorities.
Pattern of Contamination in Potato Products
This recall represents an alarming pattern for Lamb Weston, marking their third significant plastic contamination incident in recent years. In 2019, the company recalled a massive 680,000 pounds of Tater Puffs due to plastic contamination. Just a year earlier in 2018, they pulled 8,059 cases of hash brown patties – nearly identical to the current situation – for the exact same reason: plastic fragments. Most concerning was their 2022 recall of over one million pounds of shredded hash browns due to potential listeria contamination, demonstrating systemic quality control failures.
A sales and marketing manager from the industry attempted to minimize such recalls, stating they typically affect “only 10,000 pounds of 10 million produced”, according to sales and marketing manager. This cavalier attitude toward contamination rates shows how the food industry has normalized dangerous product defects that put American families at risk while continuing to maximize profits.
The FDA has categorized this as a Class II recall, indicating that while the health consequences are typically temporary or reversible, they still present legitimate risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as infants, elderly adults, and those recovering from surgery. Despite no reported injuries or consumer complaints thus far, the potential for harm remains significant, especially considering how frequently Americans consume potato products as a dietary staple.
Growing Concerns About Plastic in Food Supply
The Lamb Weston recall highlights a much broader and more insidious problem plaguing our food supply: microplastic contamination. This issue extends far beyond a single company or product. While visible plastic fragments prompt recalls, microscopic plastic particles have infiltrated virtually our entire food chain with minimal regulatory oversight. These microplastics have been linked to severe health consequences including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other chronic conditions that burden our healthcare system.
The situation bears striking similarity to Kraft Heinz’s recent recall of cheese slices containing plastic fragments, suggesting this is an industry-wide crisis rather than isolated incidents. Both recalls underscore the liberal regulatory approach that allows food manufacturers to largely police themselves until problems become too severe to ignore. Meanwhile, hardworking American consumers bear the health risks and financial burden of these corporate negligence cases while government agencies remain reactive rather than proactive in protecting public health.
Consumers with recalled Lamb Weston hash brown patties are advised to check their freezers and can return affected products for a refund. However, this small concession does little to address the fundamental issues of inadequate quality control standards, lax regulatory enforcement, and the growing environmental health crisis caused by ubiquitous plastic pollution. Until there’s political will to prioritize American health over corporate profits, these dangerous incidents will continue to threaten the safety of our food supply.
