Food Safety NIGHTMARE — Illegal Chicken Hits Stores

Yellow product recall sign against cloudy sky

Nearly 10,000 pounds of Brazilian chicken snacks are being pulled from store shelves across eight states after bypassing mandatory federal inspection, leaving consumers potentially exposed to unsafe food products.

Key Takeaways

  • Snack Mania Brazilian Delights Corp. has recalled 9,722 pounds of chicken coxinhas produced without required USDA inspection
  • The uninspected products were distributed to eight states, including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
  • Affected items were produced between June 27, 2024, and May 2, 2025, and lack the USDA inspection mark
  • No adverse health reactions have been reported, but consumers are advised to discard the products or return them to the place of purchase

Major Food Safety Violation Uncovered

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that Snack Mania Brazilian Delights Corp. is recalling approximately 9,722 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken coxinhas after discovering the products were produced without federal inspection. The violation was identified during routine surveillance activities conducted by FSIS inspectors. These Brazilian-style stuffed chicken bites completely bypassed the required federal inspection process, meaning they were produced in an unapproved facility without oversight to ensure they meet basic food safety standards.

Product Details and Distribution

The specific product being recalled is the 16.37-oz.. plastic package labeled “Snack Mania COXINHAS BRAZILIAN STUFFED BITES Original Chicken.” These uninspected chicken products were manufactured over a lengthy period spanning from June 27, 2024, to May 2, 2025. None of the packages bears the critical USDA mark of inspection, which is required to verify that meat products have undergone proper safety checks. The potentially unsafe products have been distributed to retail locations across eight states, including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Consumer Action Required

FSIS is urging consumers who have purchased these uninspected chicken coxinhas to take immediate action. Anyone who has these products in their possession should not consume them under any circumstances. The agency recommends that consumers either throw the products away or return them to the store where they were purchased. While there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products as of the recall notice, the lack of inspection means these items could potentially contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants.

Regulatory Failures and Consumer Protection

This recall highlights ongoing concerns about food safety oversight and regulatory enforcement in America’s food supply chain. The fact that nearly 10,000 pounds of uninspected meat products made it to store shelves across multiple states raises serious questions about how effectively our food safety systems are functioning. While government agencies like the FSIS are tasked with protecting consumers, this incident demonstrates how easily potentially unsafe products can circumvent established safety protocols and end up in American homes, putting families at risk while manufacturers operate outside the law.

This recall comes amid several other recent food safety concerns, including salmonella outbreaks linked to cucumbers that have sickened more than 20 people across 15 states, and baby food sold at Publix being recalled over suspected lead contamination. Consumers with questions about the chicken coxinha recall can contact the FSIS through their website at www.fsis.usda.gov or by calling their toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline.

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