Three Key Takeaways:
- USDA officials have issued a public health alert regarding Aldi’s refrigerated pork carnitas, warning consumers to discard the product after metal fragments were discovered due to equipment damage at Cargill Meat Solutions.
- This follows a similar recall earlier this year for Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos, raising concerns about repeated metal contamination in Mexican food products sold at Aldi.
- While no injuries have been reported, consuming metal fragments could cause serious internal damage, and consumers are urged to dispose of the affected product immediately.
Americans who shop at Aldi need to check their refrigerators immediately.
Federal officials have issued an urgent warning about a contaminated food product.
And USDA officials are warning Americans to throw away this popular Aldi product after a shocking discovery.
Metal fragments found in pork carnitas sold nationwide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) just dropped a bombshell public health alert that should have every American checking their refrigerator immediately.
The target? Packages of refrigerated pork carnitas sold at Aldi supermarkets nationwide that could contain dangerous metal fragments.
The contaminated product comes in 16-ounce refrigerated sleeved tray packages labeled “Pork Carnitas” with use-by dates of 06/30/2025 and 07/01/2025.
These potentially dangerous meat products bear the establishment number “Est. 46049” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
According to the FSIS announcement released on April 19, the manufacturer Cargill Meat Solutions discovered equipment damage during routine process checks that may have allowed metal pieces to contaminate the carnitas products.
“Although this product is no longer available for sale, FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers,” the FSIS stated in their official warning.
This isn’t the first Mexican food product recall at Aldi
What’s especially troubling is this isn’t even the first time metal contamination has affected Mexican-style food products at Aldi stores.
Just this January, packages of Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos were recalled due to the exact same issue – metal contamination.
The repeated food safety issues raise serious questions about quality control measures at major food suppliers and the effectiveness of our food safety systems.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of metal contamination cases in the American food supply.
What consumers need to do immediately
Unlike a full recall, the FSIS didn’t pull the products because they’re no longer available for purchase in stores. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not still sitting in millions of American refrigerators and freezers.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them,” the FSIS warning states. “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
So far, no injuries or illnesses have been reported in connection with the contaminated carnitas, but medical experts warn that consuming metal fragments could cause serious internal injuries.
The potential health consequences from consuming metal fragments shouldn’t be taken lightly. Sharp metal pieces can cause dental damage, lacerations of the mouth or throat, or more serious internal injuries if swallowed.
The bigger food safety picture
This public health alert comes as part of a concerning trend in food safety. Just last month, thousands of packages of oyster crackers were recalled after stainless steel wire contaminated them during production.
The FSIS has been issuing more alerts about foreign objects in food products in recent years, suggesting either improved detection or increasing problems in manufacturing processes.
The carnitas contamination was discovered when Cargill Meat Solutions “found equipment damage that may have contaminated the carnitas products with pieces of metal,” according to the FSIS statement.
For now, Americans should carefully check their refrigerators and freezers for the affected pork carnitas packages and dispose of them immediately if found.
