Check your fridge and freezer before you make dinner.
This Popular Aldi Product Is Not Safe to Eat, According to the USDA
Published on Apr. 21, 2025
Aldi is the king of budget-friendly kitchen staples. Arguably, the best deals in the store are on its house brands, most of which have a cult-like following. People swear by Mama Cozzi’s pizza and Friendly Farms dairy. There’s one Aldi brand in trouble right now, though: Park Street Deli.
Before you start whipping up a weeknight meal, check your refrigerator for Park Street Deli heat-and-serve pork carnitas, because they may contain pieces of metal.
What caused the health alert?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued this public health alert for the pork carnitas. During routine maintenance, the manufacturer found equipment damage that indicates the possibility of metal pieces contaminating the carnitas.
Pieces of metal would definitely be dangerous to ingest, so the FSIS wants to make sure that no one eats the product. Fortunately, there haven’t been any reports of illness or injury yet.
This isn’t technically a recall because the pork carnitas aren’t for sale at the grocery store anymore. But customers could easily still have them at home.
What stores sold the pork carnitas?
This is an Aldi-exclusive product, so it was only available at Aldi stores. The health alert says that the pork carnitas were shipped to Aldi stores nationwide, so it does affect all Aldi locations in the United States.
How do I know if I have the pork carnitas?
This health alert affects exactly one product. Even though they are no longer available for purchase at Aldi, the FSIS wants to make sure everyone checks their fridge and freezer for the product. In the bottom right corner of the package is a small white circle that contains the USDA establishment number, which for the affected lot of carnitas is 46049.
Pork Carnitas Seasoned & Seared Pork with Juices Slow Cooked with Citrus
- Size: 16-oz tray
- Use by dates: 06/30/2025 or 07/01/2025
What should I do next?
If you have any of the pork carnitas, don’t eat them, even if they look fine. You can throw them away, or bring them back to Aldi for a refund. If you have eaten the carnitas and feel sick, call your doctor ASAP.
