Recall Summary
| Recall number | 018-2026 |
| Issued by | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service |
| Date | 2026-08-26 |
| Company | Not stated |
| Units affected | 24,900 |
| Severity | Class I |
Remedy: Follow the instructions in the official notice linked below. The agency record for this recall did not contain remedy text we could verify against this product, so we have not reproduced it here.
Read the official USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recall notice
buffalo chicken recall notices reached freezers across the country this week. On August 26, 2026, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service announced recall number 018-2026. Shanghai Ravioli Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts is recalling roughly 24,900 pounds of frozen, not ready-to-eat Buffalo chicken products. The reason is serious. These items were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. FSIS classified the action as Class I, its highest risk tier. If you keep frozen appetizers at home, this matters to you.
What the Buffalo Chicken Recall Covers
The buffalo chicken recall covers frozen, not ready-to-eat items made over a long production window. FSIS states the products were produced on various dates from July 8, 2025, to June 29, 2026. That is nearly a full year of output. As a result, affected boxes may have been sitting in freezers for many months.
Two products are named in the agency record. The first is cardboard boxes containing 100 pieces of “BUFFALO CHICKEN RANGOON.” The second is cardboard boxes containing 120 pieces of “BENEDETTO’S BUFFALO CHICKEN MOZZARELLA STICK.” Both carry “Sell By” dates from July 8, 2026, to June 29, 2027, represented on the label.
Note the difference between the two date ranges. Production dates run from 2025 into 2026. The “Sell By” dates printed on the label run from 2026 into 2027. For example, a box with a 2027 “Sell By” date may still be well within the buffalo chicken recall scope. Check the label text, not just the freshness date.
FSIS lists the total volume at approximately 24,900 pounds. The agency record does not state a full retail distribution list on this page. For that reason, readers should review the official notice for label images and any distribution details. The agency posts a “view labels” link with the recall announcement.
The Hazard and Reported Injuries
The hazard here is described as “Produced Without Benefit of Inspection.” That phrase has a specific meaning in federal food law. Meat and poultry products sold in commerce must be produced under FSIS inspection. Inspection verifies sanitation, process controls, and labeling accuracy.
When that oversight is missing, the safety of the food cannot be confirmed. No agency verified the plant’s sanitation program during those production runs. No inspector confirmed the process controls that reduce pathogen risk. As a result, FSIS treats uninspected product as a Class I hazard.
Class I is the most serious classification FSIS uses. It signals a reasonable probability that eating the product could cause serious health problems or death. That classification does not mean anyone has been harmed. It reflects risk, not confirmed outcome.
The agency record does not state whether any illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection with this buffalo chicken recall. This guide will not claim either way. Readers who ate these products and later felt ill should contact a healthcare provider. Typically, that conversation should happen before any legal step is considered.
| Recall number | 018-2026 |
|---|---|
| Issuing agency | USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service |
| Date announced | August 26, 2026 |
| Company | Shanghai Ravioli Corporation, Boston, Mass. |
| Units affected | Approximately 24,900 pounds |
| Severity classification | Class I |
| Hazard | Produced Without Benefit of Inspection |
What To Do If You Own This Product
Start by checking your freezer. Look for cardboard boxes holding 100 pieces of “BUFFALO CHICKEN RANGOON.” Also look for boxes holding 120 pieces of “BENEDETTO’S BUFFALO CHICKEN MOZZARELLA STICK.” Then check the “Sell By” date on the label. Dates from July 8, 2026, through June 29, 2027, fall inside the buffalo chicken recall.
Do not cook or eat product that matches. These are not ready-to-eat items, so cooking is normally required. However, cooking does not resolve the inspection problem behind this buffalo chicken recall. In most cases, the safest move is to set the box aside and stop using it.
Next, follow the instructions in the official FSIS notice linked on this page. That notice is the authoritative source for what to do with recalled product. This guide does not state the remedy, because the agency remedy text on file does not clearly match these products. Reading the notice directly avoids that confusion entirely.
Restaurants and food service operators should check inventory too. Frozen appetizers often move through distributors rather than grocery shelves. For example, a bar or pizzeria may hold cases from a 2025 production run. Institutional buyers should also consult the official notice for handling instructions and any contact information listed there.
Finally, keep a record. Photograph the label, the “Sell By” date, and any lot markings before you act. Save your receipt or invoice if you still have it. Typically, documentation matters far more later than it feels like it does today.
📨 Get Free Mass Tort Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Does a Buffalo Chicken Recall Mean You Can Sue?
A recall is not a lawsuit. That distinction is important and often misunderstood. A buffalo chicken recall is a regulatory safety action. It is a company and an agency removing product from commerce to prevent harm.
A recall by itself is not a legal claim. It does not establish that anyone was injured. It does not establish that a specific person’s illness came from a specific box. Courts require more than the existence of a recall notice.
In most cases, a viable claim needs several elements. There must be an actual injury or documented loss. There must be a link between the product and that injury, which lawyers call causation. There must also be proof that you actually had the recalled product. Medical records, receipts, and the physical package all help.
No one should promise you money over this buffalo chicken recall. You may be eligible to pursue a claim if you were genuinely harmed. However, eligibility depends on your facts, your state’s laws, and applicable deadlines. A licensed attorney in your state can evaluate whether your situation supports a claim. This guide is education, not legal advice.
How Recalls Connect to Mass Tort Cases
Recalls sometimes become evidence in later litigation. A recall notice can show what a company knew and when it knew it. It can document the defect, the affected date range, and the scope of distribution. As a result, plaintiffs’ lawyers often treat agency records as a starting point rather than a conclusion.
History offers clear examples. Philips recalled millions of CPAP and BiPAP devices in 2021 over degrading sound abatement foam. That recall preceded extensive multidistrict litigation over alleged injuries. Takata airbag inflators were recalled across many automakers, and that recall history featured heavily in the litigation and claims programs that followed.
Still, a recall is only one input. In both examples, claimants had to show real injuries and a causal link to the product. A buffalo chicken recall follows the same logic. The notice documents a safety problem, but individual harm must be proven separately, case by case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “produced without benefit of inspection” actually mean?
It means the products were made outside required federal inspection oversight. FSIS could not verify sanitation, process controls, or labeling during those production runs. That unverified status is why the agency assigned a Class I classification.
My box has a 2027 “Sell By” date. Is it still part of the buffalo chicken recall?
Possibly. The recall covers “Sell By” dates from July 8, 2026, through June 29, 2027. A 2027 date falls within that range, so check the product names on the label carefully.
Do I have a lawsuit because of this buffalo chicken recall?
Not automatically. A recall is a safety action, not a legal claim, and no lawsuit over this specific recall is confirmed here. If you were injured, a licensed attorney can review your medical records and purchase documentation to assess your options.
Were You Injured by a Recalled Product?
A recall by itself is a safety action, not a legal claim. However, if a recalled product caused a real injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. A licensed attorney can review your situation at no upfront cost — most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover.
Official Sources & Resources
Verify every recall against the issuing agency before acting:
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: official recall database — the record of truth for this notice
- CPSC: cpsc.gov — household goods, toys, furniture, appliances
- FDA: fda.gov — food, drugs, and medical devices
- NHTSA: nhtsa.gov — vehicles, tires, and child car seats
- USDA FSIS: fsis.usda.gov — meat, poultry, and egg products
Content last reviewed August 2026. This is general educational information, not legal advice. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
Related Guides
- All Product Recalls
- All Active MDL Cases
- Mass Tort Explainers
- Mass Tort Tips
- Tort Reform by State — 50-State Comparison
Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. A product recall is a safety action by a manufacturer or regulator and does not by itself establish liability or create a legal claim. No attorney-client relationship is created by accessing or using this content. Every case is unique. If you believe you were harmed by a recalled product, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.