Public Health Alert for Chorizo After Consumer Complaints Filed for Hard Plastic and Metal in Product

USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert due to concerns of raw pork chorizo products that may be contaminated with a foreign material, specifically hard plastic and metal.  The product was produced by San Antonio Packing Company of San Antonio, TX.   The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received a consumer complaint reporting that pieces of hard plastic and metal were found in the raw pork chorizo product.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-raw-pork-chorizo-products-due-possible-foreign
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Pork Chorizo Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, May. 2, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of raw pork chorizo products that may be contaminated with a foreign material, specifically hard plastic and metal. FSIS is issuing a public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the product is no longer available for purchase.

The raw pork chorizo items were produced on February 12, 2024. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view labels]:

12-oz. vacuum-sealed packages containing "LEAN apco BRAND MEATS ALL NATURAL PREMIUM CHORIZO" with the best-by date of 5/12/24.

The product bears the establishment number "EST. 602" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product was distributed to H-E-B grocery stores in Texas.

The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it had received a consumer complaint reporting that pieces of hard plastic and metal were found in the raw pork chorizo product.

There have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume them. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact David Roe, Operations Manager, San Antonio Packing Company at 210-224-5441 or Operations@realchorizo.com.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.