A South Dakota company has initiated a recall of more than 2.2 million pounds of Korean pork jerky sold at Costco and Sam's Club. The decision came after customer complaints reporting the presence of fibrous metal in the product.

It's worth noting that LSI, Inc., of Alpena, voluntarily recalled the product, which includes 16-ounce and 16-ounce bags of jerky labeled “Golden Island fire-grilled pork jerky Korean BBQ recipe.” Approximately 48 lots of jerky are involved, with expiration from October 2025 to September 2026.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, company officials said the metal came from a conveyor belt used in production, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Consumer Instructions

People are advised not to consume the recalled jerky and to discard it. They are also suggested that the product be returned to stores for a refund. This incident highlights the importance of food harvesting surveillance and the need to report foreign materials found in food products.

AP notes that contamination with rocks, sticks, insects, and other foreign objects has occurred in the past in foods produced in the United States.

5 million pounds of chicken also recalled

Hormel Foods has also decided to recall approximately 4.9 million pounds of frozen boneless chicken due to the presence of metal in the products. This action was taken after customers reported finding metal particles in the chicken breasts and thighs.

It was also determined that the metal came from a conveyor belt used in the production process. To date, no illnesses or injuries related to the incident have been reported.

The affected products, under the Hormel Fire Braised brand, were distributed primarily to restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service establishments between February 10 and September 19. It's important to note that these items were not sold directly to consumers.

Symptoms of Metal Contamination

Symptoms of consuming metal-contaminated food can vary depending on the type of metal, the amount, and the length of exposure, but commonly include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Muscle weakness, changes in behavior, difficulty remembering, tingling, chills, and breathing problems may also occur. In chronic or cumulative cases, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, constipation, as well as cognitive problems and growth retardation in children may occur.

Some specific metals, such as lead or mercury, can cause additional symptoms such as high blood pressure, skin irritation, and central nervous system disturbances.

What other types of contamination have been reported?

In recent years, various types of contamination in food have been reported, including chemicals, biological, physical, and packaging migration contaminants.

Chemical Contaminants

Biological Contaminants

Physical Contaminants

Other Reported Types

Recent Illnesses and Outbreaks

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis, salmonellosis, norovirus, and others, have led to mass recalls and alerts in different countries.

These contaminants pose both short- and long-term health risks, and monitoring, regulation, and good food handling practices are crucial to reducing these risks.

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