USDA Issues Health Alert for Frozen Chicken Products Sold at Walmart Stores Nationwide

by

A public health alert has been issued by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for empanadas sold at Walmarts nationwide due to product mislabeling. The empanada packaging is labeled as “Bettergoods Chicken Curry Empanadas” but the product in the packaging may be Bettergoods Apple Cinnamon Empanadas.

The apple cinnamon version contains milk, an allergen that is not declared on the product label. Those who are allergic to milk could have an adverse reaction to the product. A public health alert, not a recall, was issued because the affected product is no longer sold at Walmart, but it may still be in consumers’ freezers. No confirmed reports of adverse reactions have been reported.

How to Identify the Mislabeled Bettergoods Empanadas

The mislabeled Bettergoods empanadas were sold only at Walmart stores nationwide. They were produced on Nov. 14, 2024, and packaged on Nov. 20, 2024, and Nov. 21, 2024. The frozen items were packaged in 9.6-ounce cardboard packages labeled “Bettergoods TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED Chicken Curry Empanadas.” Additionally, they’re marked with the following on the side of the box: 

  • “BEST BY: 05/21/26” or “BEST BY: 05/22/26” 
  • “EST. P33967”

Images of the product label can be found on the FSIS page as well.

What to Do if You Have the Mislabeled Empanadas in Your Home

The FSIS urges consumers not to consume the mislabeled products and to throw them away or return them to place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.

Leave a Comment