It’s not every day that a snack as beloved as the tater tot finds itself at the center of a sweeping food safety recall, but that’s exactly what’s unfolding across the United States this February. On February 13, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded a voluntary recall of nearly 650,000 pounds of frozen tater tots produced by McCain Foods in Idaho, citing potential contamination with hard plastic fragments. The recall now spans 28 states, ranging from Louisiana and Ohio to Colorado and Hawaii, and affects some of the country’s best-known tater tot brands: Ore-Ida and Sonic Tots.
According to the FDA’s official recall notice, the action was taken after small, clear pieces of hard plastic were discovered in certain lots of tater tots. While the tots in question were not sold in retail grocery stores, they were distributed in bulk to food service clients—think school cafeterias, restaurants, and institutional kitchens. That means most home freezers are likely safe, but the scale of the recall is staggering: more than 21,600 cases, each weighing 30 pounds, are being pulled from distribution. That’s a total of about 648,000 pounds—roughly the weight of a fully fueled Boeing 747 or a large electrical transformer the size of a 3,200-square-foot house, as noted by Retro 102.5.
For those keeping tabs on the specifics, the recalled Ore-Ida Tater Tots include 21,557 cases, each packaged in clear, unlabeled poly bags (six five-pound bags per case). These cases carry the item number OIF00215A and the UPC 1 00 72714 00215 8. The affected batch codes are 1005475084, 1005476076, 1005477012, and 1005498350, with use-by dates of October 6, 2027, October 7, 2027, October 8, 2027, and November 3, 2027. Sonic Tots, a favorite at the namesake drive-in chain and other eateries, are also included: 67 cases, each 30 pounds, with item number SON00543, UPC 0 00 72714 00543 5, batch code 1005486334, and production code B 292 / 5.
The recall has been classified by the FDA as a Class II recall, which means that while exposure to the plastic fragments could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects—such as choking or mouth and throat injuries—serious consequences are considered unlikely. As of now, there have been no confirmed injuries reported, which is a small comfort in a situation that could have been much worse. The FDA’s statement, as reported by WKRC, warns that “the products may contain clear, hard plastic fragments that could pose a choking hazard or cause mouth and throat injuries.”
McCain Foods, the Idaho-based company behind both Ore-Ida and Sonic Tots, has been proactive in working with the FDA to identify and recall all affected lots. The company distributed the products to food service vendors in 28 states, including 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. The sheer geographic spread highlights just how quickly and widely food products can move through the national supply chain.
For food service operators, the recall means checking inventory against a detailed list of batch codes and use-by dates. According to KMDL-FM, the recalled Ore-Ida Tater Tots are packaged in clear, unlabeled poly bags and were not for sale at retail stores. The same is true for Sonic Tots, which also come in unlabeled poly bags. The FDA’s recall website provides a full breakdown of affected items, and McCain Foods has set up a customer service line for institutions seeking refunds or instructions on proper disposal.
Despite the scale of the recall, the risk to the average consumer appears low. As Retro 102.5 points out, “While the two brands being recalled—Ore-Ida and Sonic Tot—are those you can usually find in our local grocery store freezer cases, it appears that the recall is predominantly for tater tots sold commercially to food service clients, so odds are there are not any in your freezer.” Still, the advice from both the FDA and food safety advocates is clear: if you think you might have purchased or been served tater tots from a food service vendor recently, it’s worth double-checking the batch codes and use-by dates before digging in.
The recall’s impact is being felt most acutely in institutional settings—places like schools, hospitals, and restaurants that rely on bulk shipments of frozen potatoes to feed large groups. For these organizations, the recall means not just the loss of product but also the logistical headache of identifying, removing, and replacing potentially contaminated food. McCain Foods, for its part, has pledged to cooperate fully with the FDA and affected clients, offering refunds and guidance as needed.
Food recalls, while unsettling, are a critical part of the nation’s food safety system. The FDA’s swift action in expanding the recall to include additional batch codes and use-by dates demonstrates the agency’s commitment to public health, even when the odds of serious harm are relatively low. As the agency explained in its recall notice, “Exposure could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, with serious consequences considered unlikely.”
For those who love their tater tots—crispy, golden, and comforting—this recall might feel like a blow. But it’s also a reminder of the complex journey food takes from farm to table, and the vigilance required to keep that journey safe. The incident also puts a spotlight on the importance of traceability in the modern food supply chain. With batch codes, production codes, and use-by dates, companies and regulators can quickly pinpoint and remove problematic products before they reach consumers’ plates.
So, what’s next for tater tot fans and the institutions that serve them? For now, the advice is simple: check your inventory, consult the FDA’s recall list, and when in doubt, reach out to McCain Foods for guidance. And if you’re still craving that familiar potato crunch, rest assured—this recall, while massive in scale, is being handled with the kind of transparency and urgency that keeps America’s food supply among the safest in the world.
As the story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: even the humblest foods can have a big story behind them, especially when safety is on the line.