A South Dakota company just recalled over 2.2 million pounds of Korean barbecue pork jerky after customers bit into metal wire fragments that came from the factory’s own conveyor belt system.
Story Snapshot
- LSI, Inc. recalled 2.2 million pounds of Golden Island Korean barbecue pork jerky sold at Costco and Sam’s Club
- Metal wire contamination originated from the company’s production conveyor belt system
- Affected products have best-by dates ranging from October 2025 to September 2026
- No confirmed injuries reported, but consumers advised to immediately discard or return products
When Your Snack Becomes a Safety Hazard
LSI, Inc., operating out of Alpena, South Dakota, discovered their production line had been feeding customers more than they bargained for. The company’s Golden Island fire-grilled pork jerky Korean barbecue recipe contained metal wire fragments that broke off from manufacturing equipment. Customer complaints triggered the massive recall, affecting both 14.5-ounce and 16-ounce packages distributed nationwide.
The timing couldn’t be worse for holiday shopping season, when bulk retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club see increased foot traffic. Consumers who purchased the jerky between the affected date ranges now face the unsettling reality that their protein snack contained potentially dangerous metal fragments. The recall demonstrates how quickly manufacturing defects can spiral into national safety concerns.
The Conveyor Belt Culprit
Company officials pinpointed the contamination source to a conveyor belt used in their production process. This mechanical failure represents a fundamental breakdown in quality control systems that should catch such hazards before products reach store shelves. The metal wire fragments likely accumulated over time as the belt deteriorated, mixing into batches of jerky during processing.
Manufacturing experts understand that conveyor belt maintenance requires constant vigilance. Metal fatigue, wear patterns, and component degradation can introduce foreign materials into food products without proper monitoring protocols. This incident highlights why food producers must implement rigorous equipment inspection schedules and real-time contamination detection systems throughout their operations.
Consumer Response and Retailer Accountability
Costco and Sam’s Club customers who purchased the affected jerky face a straightforward directive: throw it away or return it immediately. The retailers’ response to this recall will test their customer service capabilities and supply chain oversight. Both companies built reputations on bulk purchasing power, but incidents like this remind consumers that volume buying carries inherent risks.
More than 2.2 million pounds of Korean barbecue pork jerky sold at Costco and Sam's Club stores were recalled because the product may be contaminated with pieces of metal.https://t.co/U2pMKWxwoR
— 8 News Now (@8NewsNow) October 26, 2025
The absence of confirmed injuries provides some relief, but the potential for dental damage, choking hazards, or internal injuries from metal wire consumption cannot be dismissed. Consumers who already consumed portions of the recalled jerky should monitor for any adverse effects and consult healthcare providers if concerns arise. The incident underscores why shoppers should inspect food products carefully, even from trusted retailers.
Sources:
Company recalls 2 million pounds of barbecue pork jerky that may contain metal wire – Click Orlando
Company recalls 2 million pounds of barbecue pork jerky – San Francisco Chronicle
Pork jerky recall: 2M pounds Golden Island Korean barbecue recalled for metal wire risk – ABC13
Company recalls 2 million pounds of barbecue pork jerky – Houston Chronicle
