Hormel Foods Corporation is recalling more than 256,000 pounds of its Dinty Moore canned beef stew after reports of contamination with wood fragments, a news release stated on Wednesday.

The recall affects 20-ounce metal cans labeled “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with a best-by date of “FEB 2028” and lot code “T02045.” Some cans may include an additional number following the lot code. All recalled products carry the establishment number “EST 199G,” printed on the can, and were produced on Feb. 4 of this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said the product was distributed to retailers across the country.

According to FSIS, Hormel, which operates the facility in Tucker, Georgia, alerted the agency after receiving three consumer complaints about finding pieces of wood in the beef stew. No injuries have been reported, but the agency advised anyone concerned about illness or injury to consult a healthcare provider.

Officials are urging consumers to check their pantries and either discard the product or return it to the place of purchase. FSIS emphasized the importance of removing potentially contaminated items from circulation and is conducting recall effectiveness checks to ensure compliance.

Consumers seeking more information can contact Hormel Foods at (800) 523-4635 or email media@hormel.com.  For food safety questions, contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (888) 674-6854 or MPHotline@usda.gov. To report issues with meat, poultry or egg products, visit https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

More information will be posted at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls as it becomes available.