In a significant development for snack food safety, Chomps, a popular brand known for its high-protein, ready-to-eat meat sticks, has issued a voluntary recall of approximately 29,541 pounds of its Original Beef Sticks and Original Turkey Sticks due to potential contamination with metal fragments. The recall, announced in March 2025, was prompted by two consumer complaints reporting the presence of metal in the beef sticks, raising concerns about food safety and consumer health. This article dives into the details of the recall, its implications, and what consumers need to know to stay safe.
The issue came to light after two consumers reported finding metal fragments in Chomps Original Beef Sticks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The affected products were produced by Idaho Smokehouse Partners, LLC, a Shelley, Idaho-based manufacturer, between January 13 and January 15, 2025, and packaged at a single facility from January 16 to January 23, 2025. While the initial complaints centered on beef sticks, Chomps took the precautionary step of expanding the recall to include Original Turkey Sticks produced during the same period, even though no specific complaints were reported for the turkey products.
The FSIS has classified this as a Class I recall, indicating a “reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” Although no injuries or adverse health effects have been reported as of now, the presence of metal fragments in food can pose significant risks, including cuts to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract, as well as potential damage to teeth or gums. Consumers who may have consumed the affected products and are concerned about their health are advised to contact a healthcare provider immediately.
The recall involves specific lots of 1.15-ounce vacuum-sealed packages of Chomps Original Beef Stick Mild and Original Turkey Stick singles. The affected beef sticks were sold individually, as well as in 8-count and 12-count pouches, and were shipped to retail locations in California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington, with some reports indicating broader distribution, including Costco stores in additional states. Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking for the following details:
For products in pouches, Chomps advises consumers to remove a stick from the pouch to check the lot code, which is printed below the barcode on individual sticks. The company has provided a detailed list of affected products and lot codes on its recall website, encouraging consumers to verify whether their purchases are part of the recall.
The presence of metal fragments in food products is a serious issue, as noted by food safety experts. According to Benjamin Chapman, PhD, a food safety expert at North Carolina State University, metal fragments can cause traumatic injuries, including lacerations or perforations in the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestines, and may even require surgical intervention in severe cases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) echoes this concern, stating that hard or sharp foreign objects in food can lead to significant health risks.
The metal fragments in the Chomps products are believed to have originated during the production process, likely due to worn-down machinery components or inadequate equipment maintenance at the Idaho Smokehouse Partners facility. While modern food processing facilities often use metal detectors and X-ray systems to catch such contaminants, lapses in maintenance or operation can allow foreign materials to slip through. This incident highlights the importance of rigorous quality control measures in food production to prevent such hazards from reaching consumers.
Chomps has emphasized that consumer safety is its top priority and acted swiftly to address the issue. In a statement to media outlets, the company said, “After working closely with our third-party manufacturing partner and the USDA, we chose to initiate a recall out of an abundance of caution.” The decision to include additional product lots, such as the Original Turkey Sticks, reflects Chomps’ commitment to ensuring all potentially affected items are removed from the market.
Idaho Smokehouse Partners also issued a statement, noting that upon receiving the consumer complaints, it collaborated with regulatory authorities to protect consumers. The company has implemented additional safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future, including enhanced equipment inspections and quality control protocols. Stacey Hartnett, VP of e-commerce at Chomps, reiterated, “No products outside of the recalled Original Beef and Turkey sticks are impacted,” reassuring consumers that other Chomps products remain safe for consumption.
The FSIS and Chomps are urging consumers to check their pantries for the affected products and refrain from consuming them. If you have purchased any Chomps Original Beef or Turkey Sticks, follow these steps:
Consumers can also reach out to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or email MPHotline@usda.gov for additional food safety guidance. The FSIS will conduct recall effectiveness checks to ensure that Idaho Smokehouse Partners has notified customers and removed the affected products from retail shelves.
The Chomps recall is part of a broader trend of food safety issues involving foreign materials. Recent months have seen recalls for products contaminated with plastic, rubber, and other foreign objects, often due to equipment malfunctions or inadequate inspection processes. Experts suggest that advancements in detection technologies, such as more sensitive metal detectors and X-ray systems, have improved the ability to identify contaminants before products reach consumers. However, this also means that recalls may become more frequent as companies detect smaller fragments that might have gone unnoticed in the past.
For consumers, this serves as a reminder to stay vigilant about food safety. Checking product labels, staying informed about recalls, and reporting any unusual findings in food products can help prevent potential health risks. Retailers like Costco, which stock Chomps products, have been proactive in notifying customers about the recall, with some issuing alerts via text or email to ensure affected products are returned or discarded.
While the recall is a setback for Chomps, a brand popular among health-conscious consumers and TikTok influencers for its clean ingredients and high-protein content, the company’s swift response and transparency may help maintain consumer trust. By expanding the recall beyond the minimum requirements and implementing stronger safety measures, Chomps is demonstrating a commitment to quality and accountability.
For now, consumers are advised to take immediate action to check their Chomps products and follow the recall instructions. As the food industry continues to evolve, incidents like this underscore the importance of robust safety protocols to protect consumers from potential hazards. Stay informed by visiting the USDA’s recall page or Chomps’ official recall website for the latest updates on this issue.
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