food and drink

Attention, consumers! FSIS recalls pork product due to potential metal contamination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a public health alert and recalled for a Mexican-inspired pork product sold at Aldi stores nationwide after possible metal fragments.

A recall for "Pork Carnitas" sold at Aldi stores has been issued by the USDA due to possible metal contamination. Consumers are urged to discard or return the product. Photo: LR composition/ALDI
A recall for "Pork Carnitas" sold at Aldi stores has been issued by the USDA due to possible metal contamination. Consumers are urged to discard or return the product. Photo: LR composition/ALDI

A nationwide recall has been issued for a pork product due to potential contamination with metal fragments, following a routine inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The product, which was sold at a popular grocery chain, may pose a health risk to consumers who still have it in their homes.

The recall affects "16-oz. sleeved tray packages of 'Pork Carnitas SEASONS & SEARED PORK WITH JUICES COOKED WITH CITRUS'", with specific "USE BY" dates of '06/30/2025' or '07/01/2025'".

FSIS reveal a metal contamination in pork products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued a public health alert regarding a Mexican-inspired pork product sold at Aldi stores nationwide.

The 16-ounce refrigerated packages labeled "Pork Carnitas" were flagged on April 19 due to possible contamination with foreign objects, specifically metal pieces. The FSIS statement explained that these products, which were shipped nationwide to Aldi, could be tainted with foreign material.

"The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number 'Est 46049' inside the USDA mark of inspection," the statement added. "These items were shipped to Aldi supermarkets nationwide".

This issue was noticed by the manufacturer of the carnitas packages, Cargill Meat Solutions, during production.

"The problem was discovered when the establishment notified FSIS that during routine process checks they found equipment damage that may have contaminated the carnitas products with pieces of metal," the FSIS's statement read.

According to Fox News, the FSIS is not recalling the product because it is no longer available for sale.

 Pork carnitas package in Aldi stores. Photo: FSIS

Pork carnitas package in Aldi stores. Photo: FSIS

FSIS advise throwing pork products away

Yet the agency stressed that anyone in possession of the meals should throw them away.

"Although this product is no longer available for sale, FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers", the statement read.

"Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase." No injuries associated with the product have been reported, per the FSIS.

In addition to this recall, Aldi also faced issues earlier this year. In January, Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos were recalled for metal contamination, and in March, oyster crackers were recalled after a stainless steel wire was found in the product during manufacturing.