Clearwater, FL — USDA: Over 2 Million Pounds of Golden Island Pork Jerky Recalled After Metal Wire Contamination at Costco and Sam’s Club

Clearwater, FL (October 27th, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) has issued a Class I recall for over 2.2 million pounds of Golden Island Korean Barbecue Pork Jerky. The recall was issued after multiple consumers discovered pieces of wiry metal embedded in the ready-to-eat meat product.

If you or someone in your family has suffered an injury after consuming this contaminated jerky, you may have grounds for legal action beyond simply returning the product for a refund. Those who have experienced medical complications from tainted food products may recover damages for healthcare costs, physical suffering, income loss, and additional harm stemming from their condition.

To explore your legal options if you’ve suffered harm from recalled Golden Island pork jerky, reach out to our Clearwater product liability attorneys at Light & Wyatt Law Group. Call 727-499-9900 for a free consultation.

Details of the Golden Island Pork Jerky Recall

The USDA’s recall involves Golden Island Fire-Grilled Pork Jerky in the Korean Barbecue recipe sold in multipacks at major warehouse retailers. LSI, Inc., the South Dakota-based manufacturer of Golden Island products, initiated a voluntary recall of over 2.2 million pounds after receiving multiple consumer complaints about finding pieces of wiry metal throughout the jerky products.

A Class I risk classification by the USDA carries the most serious implications—this is the agency’s highest severity category. Such a designation indicates the product poses a substantial threat of severe adverse health effects, including death, and distinguishes this recall from less dangerous product issues.

The company determined through investigation that the metal contamination originated from a conveyor belt used during the production process. Despite the widespread distribution and numerous consumer complaints, no confirmed injuries have been official reported. The lack of reported injuries, however, does not diminish the serious danger these metal fragments present to anyone who consumes the affected products.

Identifying the Recalled Jerky Products

The affected jerky packages were sold at Costco and Sam’s Club locations in Florida, and throughout the U.S. You can identify the recalled products by checking for the following information:

• Product: Golden Island Fire-Grilled Pork Jerky (Korean Barbecue recipe)
• Package Sizes: 14.5-ounce and 16-ounce plastic pouches
• Establishment Number: M279A (inside the USDA mark of inspection)
• Best By Dates: October 23, 2025, through September 23, 2026
• Lot Codes: Multiple lot codes beginning with GIJB and GIJBQ patterns (full list available through USDA)
• Shelf Life: One-year shelf life from packaging date

Anyone who bought this jerky in Clearwater or elsewhere in Florida should inspect their product packaging immediately for the establishment number and best-by date range. You’ll typically find the establishment number inside the USDA mark of inspection on the packaging, and the best-by date is printed on the side of the pouch. Confirming whether you have the affected batch is essential for your safety and the safety of your family members.

Health Dangers Associated with Metal Contamination in Food

Metal fragments embedded in food products represent one of the most dangerous types of foreign matter contamination. Unlike biological contaminants that may cause illness over time, sharp metal pieces pose immediate physical injury risks with each bite or swallow. These wiry metal fragments from industrial equipment can cause severe injuries throughout the digestive system.

Medical Injuries Linked to Metal Fragments in Food Products

Consuming food contaminated with metal wire or fragments can lead to several serious medical emergencies. These may include:

Oral and Dental Injuries

Sharp metal pieces can puncture the soft tissues of the mouth, tongue, or gums, causing painful lacerations requiring stitches. Metal fragments can also crack, chip, or shatter teeth, necessitating expensive dental procedures including crowns, root canals, or tooth extraction and replacement.

Throat and Esophageal Damage

As metal fragments travel through the throat, they can become lodged in the esophagus or cause perforations to the esophageal lining. These injuries may result in severe pain, difficulty swallowing, infection, and in extreme cases, life-threatening complications requiring emergency surgery.

Stomach and Intestinal Perforations

Perhaps most dangerously, metal wire fragments that reach the stomach or intestines can puncture these organs, creating perforations that allow digestive contents to leak into the abdominal cavity. This can trigger peritonitis, a severe infection that constitutes a medical emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention.

Internal Bleeding

Sharp metal fragments can lacerate blood vessels throughout the digestive tract, causing internal bleeding that may not be immediately apparent but can become life-threatening without prompt medical attention.

Choking Hazards

Larger metal pieces or fragments that become lodged in the throat present serious choking risks, particularly for children or individuals with swallowing difficulties.

Long-Term Digestive Complications

Even after initial treatment for metal-related injuries, victims may experience ongoing digestive problems, scarring, strictures requiring dilation procedures, chronic pain, and difficulty eating normally, significantly impacting quality of life.

Your Legal Options Following Contaminated Food Product Harm

If contaminated Golden Island jerky has caused you injury, your legal rights extend considerably beyond merely receiving a product refund. Florida’s product liability statutes enable injured consumers to pursue compensation from manufacturers, distributors, and sellers when unsafe or contaminated food products inflict harm.

Manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure their products are safe for consumption and free from dangerous foreign matter contamination. When production failures, inadequate quality control, or equipment failures result in contaminated products reaching consumers, the responsible parties must be held accountable for the injuries and damages they cause.

Protecting Your Health and Legal Rights

The Golden Island pork jerky recall raises troubling questions about quality control and equipment maintenance in the food manufacturing industry. Consumers reasonably expect that ready-to-eat products they purchase from trusted retailers will be safe and free from dangerous foreign matter contamination. When manufacturers fail to properly maintain production equipment, conduct adequate quality inspections, or respond swiftly to consumer complaints, innocent consumers bear the consequences.

Our Clearwater product liability attorneys at Light & Wyatt Law Group possess extensive experience representing victims of contaminated food product injuries across Florida. We recognize the profound impact that serious injuries from tainted food can have on your health, finances, and life quality, and we’re dedicated to holding negligent manufacturers responsible for the damage they inflict.To discuss your situation in a free consultation, contact our team today at 727-499-9900. We’ll review the circumstances of your injury, explain your legal options, and help you understand what compensation may be available for your specific case.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association