More than 1,600 pounds of ready-to-eat pickled chicken and goat products have been recalled nationwide after federal officials determined they were produced without inspection, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to issue a Class I recall, its highest risk classification.
The recall affects products made by Indus Foods LLC, doing business as Gangothri Foods, an Austin, Texas-based company.
FSIS announced on August 17 that approximately 1,626 pounds of ready-to-eat pickled meat products are subject to the recall. The agency said the products were produced between January 28, 2025, and May 6, 2026, and were sold nationwide through retailers, distributors, restaurants and direct-to-consumer online sales.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has overseen many recent food recalls, FSIS issued this recall because the affected products contain meat and poultry. Federal regulations require such products to be produced under USDA inspection, and FSIS said the recalled pickled goat and chicken products were distributed without inspection.
The latest recall comes amid heightened public attention to food safety after a series of major recalls and outbreak investigations this year. Federal agencies have investigated multistate outbreaks tied to iceberg lettuce, blueberries, eggs, and jalapeños, while consumers have also seen recalls involving products ranging from fresh produce to ready-to-eat foods.
Public health officials note that recalls can be issued for a variety of reasons, including contamination concerns, manufacturing problems, labeling issues or, as in this case, products entering commerce without required federal inspection. The Gangothri Foods recall has not been linked to any confirmed illnesses, but regulators say the lack of inspection warrants immediate action.
Newsweek reached out to Gangothri Foods and FSIS via email for comment.
Which Products Were Recalled?
The recall includes four varieties of Gangothri Foods products sold in 8-ounce glass jars:
- Gangothri Goat Pickle
- Gangothri Gongura Goat Pickle
- Gangothri Chicken Pickle
- Gangothri Gongura Chicken Pickle
According to FSIS, the products were produced over more than a year and have a two-year shelf life, raising concerns that some packages may still be stored in consumers’ homes or remain on shelves at food establishments. Officials said the recalled products do not carry the USDA inspection mark required for federally regulated meat and poultry products.
The issue was discovered during FSIS surveillance activities, which found the ready-to-eat meat and poultry products had been produced without federal inspection.
Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?
FSIS said the recalled products were distributed nationwide. They were shipped to restaurants, retail locations and distributors throughout the United States and were also sold directly to consumers through online channels.
A list of states impacted by the recall was not immediately available.
FSIS has not yet published a retail distribution list identifying specific stores that received the products. The agency said it will post those lists on its recall website if and when they become available.
What to Do With Recalled Items
Consumers are being urged not to eat the recalled products. Restaurants, retailers and distributors should also refrain from selling or serving them.
Instead, FSIS advises consumers to either throw the products away or return them to the place of purchase. Anyone who believes they may have become ill after consuming the products should contact a healthcare provider. At the time of the recall announcement, there were no confirmed reports of illness associated with the affected items.
FSIS said it will conduct recall effectiveness checks to verify that customers have been notified and that the products are no longer available for sale.
What Is a Class I Recall?
A Class I recall is the most serious category used by FSIS and is reserved for situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
FSIS has designated the Gangothri Foods recall as a High-Class I recall. While regulators have not identified a specific pathogen or contamination event associated with the products, the agency considers the absence of required federal inspection significant enough to warrant the highest level of recall action.
Food safety experts generally recommend that consumers pay close attention to Class I recalls because they involve potentially serious health risks. Anyone in possession of the recalled Gangothri products should stop using them immediately and follow FSIS guidance for disposal or returns.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Kate Nalepinski and Sam Wilson.
