Health Alert for Pork Carnitas Due to Metal Contamination

Location: WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has recently issued a public health alert concerning pork carnitas products potentially contaminated with pieces of metal.

Details of the Alert

The affected items, which have already been removed from store shelves, were sold at Aldi supermarkets across the nation. The fully cooked pork carnitas were prepared between April 1 and April 2, 2025, and bear “use by” dates of June 30, 2025, and July 1, 2025.

The products in question are packaged in 16-ounce sleeved trays labeled as “Pork Carnitas seasoned & seared with juices slow cooked with citrus.” These packages also include the establishment number “Est. 46049” within the USDA mark of inspection.

Investigation Findings

The contamination was flagged after the establishment reported equipment damage that may have introduced foreign metal material into the pork products during routine process checks.

Consumer Advisory

While FSIS has not initiated a recall due to the items no longer being on sale, consumers who might still possess these products in their homes are strongly advised to discard them or return them to the store for a refund. As of now, there are no confirmed cases of injuries resulting from the consumption of these pork products, but anyone concerned about potential health effects should consult a healthcare provider.

What You Should Do

Consumers are urged to check for the specified packaging and “use by” dates and follow these steps:

• Do not consume any pork carnitas products fitting the description above.
• Dispose of any leftover products safely.
• If purchased recently, consider returning the product to your local Aldi store.

Conclusion

This public health alert underscores the importance of food safety and the need for vigilance in monitoring food products. FSIS continues to investigate to ensure consumer safety and prevent further incidents.