Nestle USA issued a voluntary recall on Tuesday of its Hot Pockets Philly Steak and Cheese sandwiches made at its Chatsworth plant. The Swiss food and beverage company, with U.S. headquarters in Glendale, reportedly used “a small quantity of meat” at the production operation coming from Rancho Feeding Corp., where approximately 8.7 million pounds of “unwholesome” meat was processed in 2013. Rancho Feeding, based in Petaluma, processed “diseased and unsound animals … without the benefit or full benefit of federal inspection,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hot Pockets, manufactured at the Chatsworth manufacturing facility since Nestle’s 2002 takeover of its parent company, is believed to be the only brand affected by the recall. “Nestle is dedicated to food quality, and the health and safety of its consumers. For these reasons, the company initiated this recall,” the company said in a release. The two affected products, Philly Steak and Cheese and Croissant Crust Philly Steak and Cheese snacks, have been removed the marketplace, the company said. Nestle said it shipped 238,000 cases of the products to 139 locations nationwide. Customers still in possession of the products can return them to the place of purchase for a refund or contact Nestle.
