WASHINGTON — Federal health officials have issued a warning regarding more than 2.2 million pounds of Korean barbecue pork jerky, which might be tainted with metal fragments. This product, which was distributed to Costco and Sam’s Club outlets across the nation, is now under scrutiny.

The recall was initiated voluntarily by LSI, Inc., a company based in Alpena, South Dakota, following several customer complaints about discovering wiry metal pieces in the jerky. According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, the contamination was traced back to a conveyor belt used during the jerky’s production. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far in connection with this issue.

The recall specifically affects 14.5-ounce and 16-ounce plastic packages of “Golden Island fire-grilled pork jerky Korean barbecue recipe.” Approximately four dozen lots of these products are involved. They have a shelf life of one year, with best-by dates ranging from October 23, 2025, to September 23, 2026. Consumers can identify these packages by the establishment number M279A printed inside the USDA mark of inspection.

For those looking to verify whether their purchase is affected, a detailed list of the specific products, including lot codes and best-by dates, is available.

A list of the specific products, with lot codes and best-by dates, can be found here. 

People shouldn’t eat the recalled jerky and should throw it away or return it to stores for refund. Consumers with questions about the recall may contactinfo@goldenislandjerky.com.

Contamination with rocks, sticks, insects and other foreign objects occasionally occurs in food produced in the U.S. Consumers who find foreign materials in food should notify manufacturers, food safety experts said.

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