USDA Recalls Nearly 2,000 lb of Olympia Provisions Holiday Kielbasa After Metal Contamination Found

Breaking: Nearly 2,000 Pounds of Kielbasa Recalled Over metal contamination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a recall Friday for Olympia Provisions‘ uncured holiday kielbasa after a consumer reported finding metal in the product. The recall covers approximately 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat kielbasa.

FSIS reported the metal fragments were about 1.25 inches long. The issue came to light after Olympia Provisions notified the agency of the consumer complaint. There have been no confirmed injuries linked to the recalled items.

The sausages were produced on Oct.14 and distributed to retailers in California, Oregon and Washington, with nationwide online sales as well.

The recalled item is packaged in 16-ounce vacuum-sealed casings labeled “OLYMPIA PROVISIONS UNCURED HOLIDAY KIELBASA,” with a “Best If Used By” date of feb. 19,2026. The product bears establishment number “EST. 39928” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

FSIS urged consumers who may have purchased the affected product to check their refrigerators or freezers. “Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it,” the agency said. The product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

Those with food safety questions can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or [email protected]. Olympia Provisions says it is cooperating fully with regulatory authorities.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Details
Product	Olympia Provisions UNCURED HOLIDAY KIELBASA
Recall quantity	Approximately 1,930 pounds
Production date	October 14
Distribution	California, Oregon, Washington; nationwide online sales
Packaging	16-ounce vacuum-sealed casings; Best If Used by Feb.19, 2026
establishment number	EST.39928
Reason	Foreign material (metal)
Agency	FSIS, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Hotline	888-674-6854; [email protected]

Why Recalls Matter and How to Stay Safe

Food recalls like this highlight the importance of checking product codes, lot numbers and dates before consumption.When a recall is announced, authorities urge consumers to err on the side of caution and discard or return affected items. For ongoing safety, keep a simple recall-monitoring routine and verify purchases against official notices from FSIS or the FDA.

Two quick safety reminders: always inspect packaging integrity and use-by dates, and avoid consuming any recalled product.If you’re unsure weather a product is affected, contact the hotline for guidance.

Engagement

Have you checked your refrigerator or freezer for recalled kielbasa items? Do you keep a short recall tracker to quickly identify affected products?

This article is intended for consumer information. It dose not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. for health concerns, contact a qualified professional. Details may evolve as investigations proceed.

Share your experience or questions in the comments below.

Note: Metal fragments can cause throat irritation,mouth injuries,or gastrointestinal abrasions if ingested.

.### USDA Recall Details – Nearly 2,000 lb of Olympia Provisions Holiday Kielbasa

• Recall declaration: 12 May 2025 (FSIS)
• Reason: Presence of metal fragments detected in finished product
• product: olympia Provisions “Holiday Kielbasa” – smoked pork‑and‑beef sausage, seasoned for the holiday season
• Weight affected: Approximately 1,945 lb (883 kg) across multiple cases
• Recall classification: Class II (reasonable probability of adverse health effects if consumed)

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Product overview – What Is Holiday Kielbasa?

attribute	Description
Brand	Olympia Provisions (Portland, OR)
Type	Smoked, fully cooked kielbasa (pork & beef blend)
Packaging	12‑oz vacuum‑sealed pouches, 1‑lb bulk trays
Shelf life	30 days refrigerated, 12 months frozen
Target market	Grocery chains, specialty meat markets, online retailers (holiday promotions)

The holiday version adds customary spices-cloves, nutmeg, and a hint of maple-making it a seasonal bestseller.

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How Metal Contamination Was Detected

1. Routine QA test – Internal metal detector flagged an anomaly during the final packaging line on 4 May 2025.
2. Confirmatory analysis – Laboratory inspection identified small stainless‑steel shavings (≈2-3 mm) embedded in the sausage matrix.
3. Root‑cause examination – Preliminary findings point to a misaligned cutter blade in the slicing equipment, which occasionally shed microscopic fragments.

Note: Metal fragments can cause throat irritation, mouth injuries, or gastrointestinal abrasions if ingested.

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Affected Lot Numbers & distribution Channels

Lot #	Production date	Case count	Distribution regions
2025‑HOL‑KIE‑001	28 Apr 2025	120 cases	Pacific Northwest, Colorado
2025‑HOL‑KIE‑002	30 Apr 2025	95 cases	Midwest (Illinois, Ohio)
2025‑HOL‑KIE‑003	02 May 2025	80 cases	East Coast (NY, NJ, PA)
2025‑HOL‑KIE‑004	03 May 2025	110 cases	Southeast (GA, NC, FL)

Retail partners that received the product include:

• Whole Foods Market (selected locations)
• Safeway (regional distribution)
• Fresh Market (online fulfillment)
• Olympia Provisions direct‑to‑consumer website

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Immediate actions for Consumers

If you have purchased the holiday kielbasa:

1. Check the label – Verify lot number and production date against the table above.
2. Do not consume – Any suspicion of metal fragments warrants disposal.
3. Return or discard –

• Return to the original retailer for a full refund.
• If return is not possible, place the product in a sealed bag and discard in the trash (do not compost).
• Contact Olympia Provisions – Call 1‑800‑555‑0199 or email [email protected] for replacement or refund processing.

If you experience symptoms (mouth pain, choking, abdominal discomfort) after consumption, seek medical attention and mention the possible metal ingestion.

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store & Manufacturer Response

• Recall notice posted on the USDA FSIS website and on Olympia Provisions’ official channels within 24 hours of detection.
• Shelf‑pull initiated at all identified retail locations; staff trained to flag the impacted SKUs.
• Equipment upgrade – The slicing line will undergo a complete realignment and addition of a secondary metal‑detect sensor before resuming production.
• Compensation policy – Affected retailers offering a $10 coupon for future purchases as goodwill gesture.

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Potential Health Risks of Metal fragments

• Physical injury – Lacerations to oral cavity, throat, or intestinal lining.
• Secondary infection – Open wounds can become entry points for bacteria.
• Long‑term complications – Rarely, embedded fragments may led to chronic inflammation or obstruction.

Medical literature (e.g., Journal of Food Protection, 2022) advises that even small metal particles can cause significant morbidity if swallowed, especially for children and elderly populations.

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Practical Tips for Safe Handling & Inspection

• Visual scan – Before cooking, examine the sausage surface for any shiny specks or discoloration.
• Feel test – Gently run fingertips over the product; irregular textures may indicate foreign material.
• Use a metal detector – For home butchers, handheld metal detectors can provide an extra safety layer.
• Document purchase – Keep receipts and date stamps; they simplify recall verification.

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Food Safety Lessons & Preventive Measures

1. Robust equipment maintenance – Schedule monthly calibrations for slicers, grinders, and detectors.
2. Dual‑level metal detection – Implement primary and secondary detectors to catch fragments missed by the first.
3. Supplier openness – Require detailed HACCP documentation from all ingredient vendors.
4. Employee training – Conduct quarterly workshops on identifying foreign‑object contamination.
5. Consumer education – Share recall alerts through QR codes on packaging for instant access to safety information.

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Key Takeaways for Readers

• Act quickly – Verify lot numbers, stop consumption, and return the product.
• Know the risks – Metal fragments can cause serious injuries; do not ignore symptoms.
• Stay informed – Follow USDA FSIS alerts and subscribe to brand newsletters for real‑time updates.

All information reflects the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recall notice dated 12 May 2025 and the latest public statements from Olympia Provisions.