If you were hoping to fire up the grill this week—or turn to your favorite sheet pan supper—with some bratwurst, you may want to check your fridge first.

On April 5, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a major recall of Johnsonville BRATS Cheddar Bratwurst shipped and sold around the South, including Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. (Grocery stores in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin are also affected.)

Approximately 22,672 pounds of the fresh pork bratwurst, packed in five pieces in sealed firm trays, “may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically hard plastic,” the agency shared. The potentially contaminated meat was produced on February 5, 2025.

The recall began after two consumers complained that they found hard plastic in bratwurst they had purchased, the announcement says. Thankfully, so far, there have been no confirmed reports of injury. The foreign material could pose serious adverse health consequences, leading the FSIS to consider the recall a Class I—the agency’s highest level of alert. 

Here’s what to look out for in your fridge or freezer:

• 19-oz. package of Johnsonville BRATS Cheddar Bratwurst
• Package code B9FOD
• Establishment number “Est. 1647” on the front of the label

If you have one of these packages, the FSIS encourages you to discard immediately or return to your place of purchase for a refund—do not consume. In addition, if you have questions about the recall, you can contact Johnsonville Customer Relations Coordinator Amanda Fritsch at 888-556-2728.

Why not switch up your dinner plans with some Conecuh or smoked sausage, instead? We have a wealth of flavorful and weeknight-friendly recipes to get you started.