Chomps Beef and Turkey Sticks Recalled Over Potential Metal Fragments

Idaho Smokehouse Partners is recalling specific lots of Chomps Original Beef Sticks and Chomps Original Turkey Sticks over concerns of the potential presence of metal fragments in the products. Almost 30,000 pounds of the sticks have been recalled, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The sticks—which are huge with TikTok influencers—were made at a single processing plant, per a statement from Chomps. The issue was discovered after two customers complained about a “potential presence of metal fragment(s) in the meat stick product,” according to Chomps. There have been no reported injuries or illnesses linked to this so far.

What is the Chomps recall?

The USDA has designated this as a Class I recall, which is its most severe classification for a food recall. A Class I recall means that there is a “reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death,” according to the USDA. 

The recalled meat sticks were packaged between January 16, 2025 and January 23, 2025 and shipped to California and Illinois. 

Here’s a breakdown of information for the recalled 1.15-ounce vacuum-sealed packages of Chomps Original Beef Stick Mild:

• Expiration date: 2/10/2026
• Lot codes: 6220A 25016, 6220A 25017, 6220A 25018, 6220A 25020, 6220A 25021 and 6220A 25022
• Establishment number: 6220A

And this is the information you need to know for the recalled 1.15-ounce vacuum-sealed packages of Chomps Original Turkey Stick:

• Expiration date: 2/17/2026
• Lot codes: P6220A 25022 and P6220A 25023
• Establishment number: 6220A

Chomps has photos of the labels on its website, too, for easy identification. 

It’s worth noting that Chomps originally recalled *just* the beef sticks, but later added the turkey sticks to the recall, too. However, Chomps has not publicly shared how many turkey sticks were impacted above the original recall of nearly 30,000 pounds of beef sticks.

"No products outside of the recalled Original Beef and Turkey sticks are impacted," says Stacey Hartnett, VP of ecommerce at Chomps. "Out of an abundance of caution, Chomps chose to include additional product beyond what was required by the USDA to ensure all potentially affected items produced during that timeframe were accounted for."

Our priority is, and always will be, the safety and trust of our customers. 

What makes this recall dangerous?

Metal fragments in food can be accidentally swallowed, leading to potentially serious health problems. 

“The big issue with metal in food is similar to any time we see foreign material or physical hazards in products—people who eat this product could get cuts in their mouth or risk of tooth damage if the pieces of metal are large enough,” says Benjamin Chapman, PhD, food safety expert and department head of Agricultural & Human Sciences at North Carolina State University. (Foreign matter is any substance or material that’s not part of a food and can be considered a hazard or will reduce its quality.)

If these fragments are small enough to make it to the gastrointestinal tract, “there is a risk of perforation, which could lead to more serious issues,” Chapman says. 

Metal fragments and other foreign matter contamination is a “significant concern, particularly in ready-to-eat products where there is no further cooking or inspection by the consumer,” says Darin Detwiler, author of the book Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions and a professor at Northeastern University. 

How do metal fragments end up in meat sticks?

There are a few different ways metal fragments can end up in food, according to Detwiler. However, metal usually winds up in products when food production equipment produces metal shavings from worn-down machinery components, he says. That’s more likely “especially if routine maintenance or equipment inspection is inadequate,” Detwiler adds. 

Why are these recalls happening a lot lately?

There have been quite a few food recalls lately around foreign matter contamination, including metal, plastic, and rubber pieces in food products. “This rise is likely driven by a combination of factors,” Detwiler says. 

One is that companies are getting better at detecting these things. “Many food processing facilities have implemented more sensitive metal detectors, X-ray systems, and in-line inspection technologies,” Detwiler says. “These advancements make it more likely that even very small fragments of foreign material are detected before products reach consumers or during post-distribution quality assurance.”

There are also “more robust” quality assurance systems, according to Detwiler. But he says that supply chains tend to be complex, which opens the possibility of foreign matter getting into foods from a variety of sources. 

“With our heightened regulatory and consumer scrutiny, there is greater public awareness and regulatory attention around food safety issues,” Detwiler notes. “Consumers are more likely to report issues, and agencies are more transparent and responsive in issuing recalls when even low-probability risks are identified.”

Detwiler stresses that this doesn’t mean that companies are getting more relaxed with their safety practices. “In fact, it may reflect a heightened level of responsibility in identifying, disclosing, and responding to potential hazards,” he says. “However, it also highlights the need for continuous improvement in preventive maintenance, supplier controls, and hazard analysis within food safety management systems.”

What to do if you have Chomps sticks at home

If you have one of the recalled meat sticks at home, the USDA recommends that you do not eat it. Instead, throw it away or return it to where you purchased the sticks for a refund. 

If you have questions about the recall, you can contact Idaho Smokehouse Partners at 208-227-5282. If you’ve eaten one of the recalled sticks and are concerned about an injury or illness, Chomps recommends contacting a healthcare provider.