Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog on October 28, 2025
Extraneous matter in food has been the reason for several recalls this month. Some have caused injuries.
When we purchase ready-to-eat products, or even ingredients, there is an unspoken pact with that food company that it is safe and will not cause harm if handled and cooked correctly. That unspoken pact between the producer and the consumer is due to the oversight of several regulatory agencies.
Depending on the type of food this could be the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Then there are the state and local health departments where the facility is located.
Rules, regulations, and good manufacturing practices provide the framework dictating certain health and safety practices designed to prevent illness and injury routinely check that that the framework is working properly.
Despite all of this, we have seen recall after recall this month. Most of which are for foodborne bacteria caught in surveillance sampling (hopefully) before someone got sick. But the recent onslaught of extraneous matter in food recalls has also been alarming. Those have been brought to the manufacturer’s attention following consumer complaints.
At least one of these has caused injuries.
The Make Food Safe Blog recently discussed that Foster Farms corn dog recall. With at least four other active recalls due to extraneous matter in food, it seems like a good time to explore this topic.
When people eat something that isn’t food, they can become injured. Most of the time these extraneous materials are discovered before they can be consumed. But sometimes they are missed. In these cases, risk of injury rises.
The type and severity of the injury may vary depending on what is swallowed and who consumes it. For example, a more delicate body of a child or elderly individual may be more vulnerable. They are also, potentially, more likely to not notice extraneous matter in food. Small children due to lack of awareness and elderly with many factors, including vision.
Regardless of lapses in consumer awareness, the expectation of your hot dog to be free from wood, your jerky to be free from metal wire, and your rice to be free from stones gives a sense of safety in consuming these foods without much thought.
Several different “non-food” items have made their way into food products.
Some of the more common extraneous matter seen in recalls include:
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the most reported consumer complaint of foreign material resulting in illness or injury was glass.
Extraneous matter can cause quite a bit of damage to the body. However, it depends on where the injury takes place and the type of material involved. Everything from the mouth, teeth, digestive tract, and even hands are vulnerable to extraneous matter contamination.
The mouth and teeth may become injured or damaged as a result of consuming hard or sharp foreign objects. These injuries include, but are not limited to:
Consuming food contaminated with hard or sharp foreign objects may cause serious injury to parts of the digestive tract that it comes in contact with. These include, but are not limited to:
If you consume extraneous matter in food, seek medical attention right away. The problem can continue to escalate as it passes through your digestive system.
Several recent recalls have been announced due to the discovery of extraneous matter in food. Most of which involved consumer complaints. At least one involved injuries.
At least five people have reported injury from consuming Foster Farms corn dogs with pieces of wood embedded in the batter. The problem was discovered following several consumer complaints.
On October 4, 2025, the company issued a recall for nearly 4 million pounds of chicken cord dog and ground turkey products. In all, 16 products were impacted.
The full list of recalled products can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall_031_2025_Food_Products_List.pdf
Impacted products were produced between July 30, 2024 and August 4, 2025 and sold to retail and institutional locations nationwide. Some of the products were distributed to schools, but was not part of the USDA National School Lunch Program.
Certain varieties of Ben’s Original rice were recalled on October 10, 2025. Specific batch codes of Ben’s Original Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild Ready Rice products may have small, naturally occurring stones originating from the rice farm.
The recall was announced because the contamination objects “pose possible risk of oral or digestive tract injury if consumed.”
Impacted products include:
Affected products were distributed from August through September. No other Ben’s Original products are impacted by this issue.
So far, there have been no reports of injury associated with this recalled product.
On October 24, 2025, LSI, Inc issued a recall for over 2 million pounds of ready-to-eat Korean barbecue pork jerky for extraneous matter contamination.
The company received multiple complaints of wiry metal pieces in the pork jerky product. The company determined this contamination was caused by the conveyor belt used in production.
Impacted product includes their 14.5 oz and 16 oz plastic pouches labeled “Golden Island fire-grilled pork jerky Korean Barbecue recipe with “best by” dates between October 23, 2025 through September 23, 2026.
Impacted product was shipped to Costco and Sam’s Club retail locations nationwide.
A full list of recalled products can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall%20033-2025a-Product-List.pdf
So far, there have been no reports of injury associated with this product.
Hormel Foods Corporation issued a recall for nearly 5 million pounds of the foodservice ready-to-eat frozen chicken products on October 25, 2025 due to metal contamination.
Consumer complaints involve metal pieces found in their frozen chicken breast and thigh products. Hormel Foods determined the metal came from the conveyor belt used in production.
Impacted products include:
Impacted product was distributed to HRI Commercial Food Service Locations nationwide on various dates between February 10, 2025 through September 19, 2025.
The full list of recalled products can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall-034-2025A-Product-List.pdf
So far there have been no confirmed reports of injury associated with this product.
E.A. Sween Company issued a recall for Deli Express BBQ pulled pork sandwiches on October 27, 2025.
Consumer complaints indicated that pieces of plastic were found in the barbecue pulled pork sandwich products. The company determined the plastic pieces came from the gallon plastic barbecue bottles used in the production process.
Impacted products include their 5.5 oz paper wrapped “Deli Express BBQ Pulled Pork on a sesame bun” sandwiches produced on various dates between January 13, 2025 and October 15, 2025.
Recalled products were shipped to retail location nationwide, including the Department of Defense.
So far there have been no reports of injury associated with this product.
Generally, ingested foreign objects will pass naturally through the digestive system somewhere between 4 to 7 days about 85% of the time. Around 1 to 5% of foreign object contamination consumption situations will result in injury.
Always contact your health care provider if you feel you have consumed something contaminated with a foreign object. If you have consumed a product that was recalled for foreign object contamination, it is a good idea to see your health care provider to be sure that no injury took place. After receiving medical attention, it is a good idea to reach out to a Foreign Objects Contamination Lawyer. Our foreign object contamination lawyers offer free consultations.
If you or a loved one have been impacted by a foreign matter in food recall, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help! The firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of foreign object contamination victims and work ward to make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no obligation consultation or fill out the online submission form today! You will be connected for a one-on-one conversation to go over the details of your situation and help determine your next steps.
Don’t wait. Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)