Cargill issues public health alert over possible metal in pork carnitas

In the United States, a public health alert was issued regarding pork carnitas sold at Aldi, one of the country’s major supermarket chains. The alert announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) came on April 19, 2025, focusing on the 16-ounce packages of refrigerated pork carnitas, which were produced by Cargill Meat Solutions on April 1 and 2, 2025. These products were flagged due to potential contamination with foreign material, specifically pieces of metal, which posed a risk to consumers. Cargill Meat Solutions, the manufacturer, detected the issue during routine process checks and promptly notified the FSIS about equipment damage that might have led to the metal contamination. The specific pork carnitas packages in question bear the establishment number 'Est. 46049' within the USDA mark of inspection and feature use-by dates of June 30, 2025, and July 1, 2025. While these items were distributed to Aldi stores nationwide, the FSIS did not issue a recall, as the affected products were no longer available on the shelves at the time of the alert. Although the FSIS confirmed that no injuries had been reported in connection with the potentially contaminated pork carnitas, they expressed concern that some consumers may still have the affected items in their refrigerators or freezers. As a cautionary measure, the FSIS urged consumers in possession of these products to refrain from consuming them and to either discard them or return them to the store for a refund. Cargill acknowledged the contamination issue and coordinated the public health alert out of an abundance of caution. They emphasized that the product implicated is no longer available for sale and assured that no illnesses or injuries have been linked to the pork carnitas. As consumers become increasingly aware of food safety, such alerts highlight the importance of vigilance in food manufacturing processes. The incident drew attention not only to the need for rigorous quality control, but also to the potential hazards faced by consumers in their everyday food purchases. The prompt action taken by Cargill in notifying authorities serves as a reminder of the responsibilities manufacturers hold in ensuring food safety.