I haven't had it in a few years but that Korean BBQ pork jerky's fucking good
Customers found sharp metal pieces in Golden Island Korean Barbecue Pork Jerky snacks at Costco and Sam's Club, so the companies recalled more than 2.2 million pounds in October 2025.
The problem started when a conveyor belt broke at LSI Inc. in South Dakota, letting small metal fragments mix into the jerky for almost a year before anyone noticed. The USDA gave this recall a Class I rating because eating the food could cause serious injury or death.
Health officials warn that swallowing metal can harm your mouth, throat, or digestive system, but no one has reported any injuries so far. Customers who have jerky marked "M279A" with best-by dates from October 2025 to September 2026 should throw it away and contact the company for a refund.
The next day, Hormel Foods recalled nearly 5 million pounds of frozen chicken after a similar conveyor belt issue led to metal contamination.
LSI Inc. kept their conveyor belt running for months without proper maintenance after it was damaged, which started the issue. This shows how food factories, under pressure to produce large amounts quickly, can miss serious safety problems. The recall affected more than just the United States.
Food safety officials in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand also warned people after finding metal in Golden Island jerky imported from the U.S. This highlights how a single factory problem can turn into an international crisis. Jack Link's, a major jerky company, bought the Golden Island brand in 2020. Jack Link's closed its California factory and moved production to South Dakota.
Even though the company described the new facility as modern and advanced, the equipment still failed. The company also had internal issues, including legal disputes between co-owners Jay and Troy Link, which may have taken attention away from safety.
The jerky recall happened while warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club were growing quickly. Sam's Club plans to open 30 new stores. Americans eat about 65,000 metric tons of jerky each year, making it a popular high-protein snack.
In 2024, the U.S. jerky market reached $5.3 billion in sales, and global sales are expected to reach $7.8 billion by 2030. But as demand increases, so do safety risks. In 2024, metal and plastic contamination led to more than a dozen major food recalls, revealing problems in how U.S. factories check their equipment.
Manufacturers should regularly inspect their equipment and use special conveyor belts that detection systems can identify if pieces break off and get into food. After the recall, the USDA checked stores and made sure Costco and Sam's Club gave customers refunds and information.
This event has prompted people to discuss whether the processed food industry needs stronger safety rules as it continues to grow.
Customers found sharp metal pieces in Golden Island Korean Barbecue Pork Jerky snacks at Costco and Sam's Club, so the companies recalled more than 2.2 million pounds in October 2025.
The problem started when a conveyor belt broke at LSI Inc. in South Dakota, letting small metal fragments mix into the jerky for almost a year before anyone noticed. The USDA gave this recall a Class I rating because eating the food could cause serious injury or death.
Health officials warn that swallowing metal can harm your mouth, throat, or digestive system, but no one has reported any injuries so far. Customers who have jerky marked "M279A" with best-by dates from October 2025 to September 2026 should throw it away and contact the company for a refund.
The next day, Hormel Foods recalled nearly 5 million pounds of frozen chicken after a similar conveyor belt issue led to metal contamination.
Why This Happened and the Global Impact
LSI Inc. kept their conveyor belt running for months without proper maintenance after it was damaged, which started the issue. This shows how food factories, under pressure to produce large amounts quickly, can miss serious safety problems. The recall affected more than just the United States.
Food safety officials in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand also warned people after finding metal in Golden Island jerky imported from the U.S. This highlights how a single factory problem can turn into an international crisis. Jack Link's, a major jerky company, bought the Golden Island brand in 2020. Jack Link's closed its California factory and moved production to South Dakota.
Even though the company described the new facility as modern and advanced, the equipment still failed. The company also had internal issues, including legal disputes between co-owners Jay and Troy Link, which may have taken attention away from safety.
Growing Industry Faces Safety Challenges
The jerky recall happened while warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club were growing quickly. Sam's Club plans to open 30 new stores. Americans eat about 65,000 metric tons of jerky each year, making it a popular high-protein snack.
In 2024, the U.S. jerky market reached $5.3 billion in sales, and global sales are expected to reach $7.8 billion by 2030. But as demand increases, so do safety risks. In 2024, metal and plastic contamination led to more than a dozen major food recalls, revealing problems in how U.S. factories check their equipment.
Manufacturers should regularly inspect their equipment and use special conveyor belts that detection systems can identify if pieces break off and get into food. After the recall, the USDA checked stores and made sure Costco and Sam's Club gave customers refunds and information.
This event has prompted people to discuss whether the processed food industry needs stronger safety rules as it continues to grow.
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