It counts as a veg in some households, by design. Here's why customers in two states will probably want to trash their stash.
Big sigh. Amid the supermarket frozen section, with some of its shelves stocked with heavily processed, suspiciously formulated foods, there are a few brands that Americans households have come to enjoy and trust for their healthier ingredients and general good consciences.
New Jersey-headquartered Dr. Praeger’s is one of those, with nearly 450,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram combined, a 2025 parenting review on Southern Living, and placement in Walmart and many other grocers. The brand says it produces “quick, tasty 100% vegetarian meals & snacks for kids & adults.” Their product line includes veggie burgers, animal-shaped “Littles,” flavored as broccoli, sweet potato, and others, and nugget-style “Bites” composed of vegetables and sometimes cheese.
A late Monday night advisory from the Food and Drug Administration reveals that one of the Bites products was flagged in a recall first initiated in January of this year, though this appears to be the first instance it’s being reported. The report cites the full brand name, Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods, specifically Simply Nature Spinach Bites in 12-ounce boxes. (UPDATE: Tuesday at noon Eastern, a representative for the brand told us the recall applies to “the private label Aldi Simply Nature Bites,” while “not any of Dr. Praeger’s products were impacted.”) The reason, notes the notice, reads: This product has the possibility of contamination with rodent hair.
We have reached out to a brand representative to learn how this might have come to pass or how the company discovered the issue, but at press time, available details include that the affected product—or “adulterated,” as described in the FDA report—was distributed to Maryland and Pennsylvania and bear the following codes:
Lot Number: G25CF-02B
Product Number: AL-SP UPC: 4099100247992
On March 16, the FDA designated this as a Class II recall, determined by the agency’s definition to be “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
There are not instructions for how consumers should proceed for recourse, but the FDA notice suggests the company worked to advise accounts via at least two methods of communication.
The brand was founded as a healthy alternative to other frozen finger foods, with its site explaining, “Dr. Praeger’s was founded over 30 years ago by two heart surgeons who saw their patients struggle to eat better.”
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