Govind Tekale
Food safety officials have issued a public health alert for pork carnitas sold at Aldi stores nationwide due to possible metal contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the alert on April 19, 2025.
The products in question are 16-ounce packages of “Pork Carnitas SEASONED & SEARED PORK WITH JUICES SLOW COOKED WITH CITRUS.” Only packages with “Use By” dates of June 30, 2025, or July 1, 2025, printed on the side are affected.
Cargill Meat Solutions produced the potentially contaminated products on April 1-2, 2025. The company discovered the problem during routine equipment checks when they found damage that could have introduced metal pieces into the food.
The affected packages bear the establishment number “Est. 46049” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
Health Concerns
Metal fragments in food can cause serious health problems, including:
- Tooth injuries
- Mouth injuries
- Damage to the digestive tract
- Choking hazards
No injuries have been reported so far in connection with these products.
Similar Posts:
What Consumers Should Do
The FSIS did not request a recall because the products are no longer available for sale in stores. However, officials worry that consumers may still have these items in their refrigerators or freezers.
If you purchased these pork carnitas products:
- Do not eat them
- Throw them away, or
- Return them to any Aldi store
Consumers with questions can contact Cargill’s Consumer Hotline at 1-844-419-1574 or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854. Questions can also be emailed to [email protected].
Chuck Miller from Cargill Meat Solutions is available for media inquiries at [email protected].
Food Safety Monitoring
This incident highlights the importance of routine safety checks in food production facilities. Equipment damage during manufacturing processes can lead to foreign material contamination if not caught early.
Consumers who need to report problems with meat, poultry, or egg products can use the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/, which is accessible 24 hours a day.
