McCain Foods Recalls 650K Pounds Tater Tot Recall, What You Need to Know About the Plastic Contamination

Nearly 650,000 pounds of frozen tater tots have been pulled from circulation after federal health officials warned that the products may contain small pieces of hard plastic. The recall, which began in December 2025 and has since expanded twice, covers products distributed to restaurants, schools, and other food service facilities across 28 states. Here is everything you need to know — including which products are affected, what the risk level means, and what to do if you encounter a recalled product.

What Happened and How Did the Recall Start?

McCain Foods first issued the recall in December 2025, which covered 21,256 cases of Ore-Ida Tater Tots. Nearly 17,600 cases of Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrel were also pulled for potentially containing “clear hard plastic fragments.”

The issue first came to public attention through a school district in Nevada. Washoe County School District in northern Nevada told local media outlets in December 2025 that it had discovered “glass-like” materials in tater tots it received the previous month. One student sustained a minor cut to a finger from the fragments. The district promptly removed the tater tots from the menus of more than a dozen of its elementary schools and alerted the FDA and local health department.

The recall was listed as ongoing by the FDA as of January 12, 2026, involving more than 38,000 cases of frozen potatoes made by McCain Foods USA Inc. The FDA then expanded the recall again on February 10, 2026, adding more batch codes and pushing the total to nearly 648,000 pounds.

Which Products Are Recalled?

The recall covers approximately 648,000 pounds of frozen tater tots made by McCain Foods at a facility in Idaho. The recall began last month and originally involved some Ore-Ida and Sysco Imperial potato products. The expanded FDA notice adds more bulk tater tot products made for food service use.

Three brands are included in the recall:

Ore-Ida Tater Tots — UPC: 1 00 72714 00215 8 Batch codes: 1005475084, 1005476076, 1005477012, 1005498350 Best if used by: Oct. 6, 2027 / Oct. 7, 2027 / Oct. 8, 2027 / Nov. 3, 2027

Sonic-branded Tater Tots — UPC: 0 00 72714 00543 5 Packaged in clear, unlabeled poly bags (six 5-lb bags per 30-lb case)

Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrel Batch codes: 1005482717, 1005483735, 1005484702, 1005485462, 1005485660

All recalled products originated from McCain Foods’ Idaho facility and were distributed in large quantities to food service clients — importantly, they were not for sale at retail stores. If you have not eaten at a restaurant, cafeteria, or school that serves tater tots, it is unlikely you purchased these products directly.

Which States Are Affected?

The recalled products were distributed in 28 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

What Is the Health Risk?

The FDA has classified both recalls as Class II events, meaning the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote, but consumption may cause temporary or medically reversible effects.

In plain English, Class II is the middle tier of FDA recall severity. It sits below Class I — which is reserved for products that could cause serious injury or death — but above Class III, which covers products unlikely to cause any health consequences at all.

The frozen potatoes may contain “clear, hard plastic fragments.” These pieces could pose a choking risk or cause injuries to the mouth or throat if eaten. As of the time of the expanded recall announcement, the FDA reported no additional injuries beyond the initial Nevada school incident.

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Who Is Most at Risk?

The food service distribution channel means this recall primarily affects people who eat at restaurants, school cafeterias, hospital dining rooms, and similar institutional settings in the 28 affected states. Children eating school lunches are a particular concern, given the Nevada school district injury and the fact that tater tots are a common cafeteria item.

Parents of school-age children in the affected states may want to check with their child’s school to confirm whether the recalled products were served and whether they have been removed from menus.

What Has McCain Foods Said?

McCain Foods has not made a detailed public statement explaining how the plastic contamination occurred. The FDA has reported that McCain USA contacted those believed to be affected through one or more methods, including email, fax, letter, press release, telephone call, or in-person visit. The recall is described as voluntary, meaning McCain initiated it rather than being ordered to do so by a regulator.

Anyone with questions can contact McCain Foods directly at 877-804-6198 or visit the FDA’s recall website at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts for the official recall notice.

What Should You Do?

If you work at or operate a food service business, school, or institution in one of the 28 affected states:

• Check your freezer immediately against the batch codes and UPCs listed above.
• Do not serve recalled products — discard or return them per McCain Foods’ instructions.
• Contact McCain Foods at 877-804-6198 for information about refunds or proper disposal.
• Report any injuries related to the recalled products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Reporting Program at fda.gov/safety/medwatch.

For individual consumers who ate tater tots at a restaurant or cafeteria and are concerned:

• If you or someone in your household experiences mouth or throat irritation after eating tater tots, seek medical attention.
• You can report adverse events directly to the FDA through MedWatch.

FAQs

Are the recalled tater tots sold in grocery stores? 

No. The tater tots were not for typical consumer purchase but were instead packaged for food service customers such as restaurants, schools, and hospitals. Retail grocery shoppers are not directly affected by this recall.

What brands are included in the McCain tater tot recall? 

Three brands are affected: Ore-Ida, Sonic, and Sysco Imperial Potato Tater Barrel — all manufactured by McCain Foods at its Idaho facility.

How serious is the plastic contamination risk?

 The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the risk of serious harm is considered remote, but hard plastic fragments could cause choking or mouth and throat injuries if consumed. One minor injury — a finger cut to a student — was reported in Nevada in December 2025.

How many pounds of tater tots were recalled in total?

 More than 21,600 cases, coming to around 648,000 pounds, are included in the expanded recall.

When did the McCain tater tot recall start? 

McCain Foods voluntarily began the recall on December 3, 2025. The FDA published recall notices in January and February 2026 as additional batch codes were added.

What should food service operators do with recalled products? 

Stop serving them immediately. Contact McCain Foods at 877-804-6198 for instructions on returning products or obtaining a refund. Do not donate or redistribute recalled items.

Has anyone been seriously injured? 

One minor injury — a student cut their finger on a plastic fragment in Nevada — was reported. No serious injuries or hospitalizations have been publicly confirmed as of March 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Recall details, affected batch codes, and health guidance may be updated as the situation develops. Always refer to the official FDA recall notice at fda.gov and contact McCain Foods directly for the most current information.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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