When it comes to grocery shopping, most of us assume the food on the shelves is safe to eat. But even major supermarket chains like Aldi can slip up sometimes, resulting in massive recalls that leave customers feeling queasy. While Aldi prides itself on offering quality products at low prices, the discount grocer has faced its fair share of food safety scandals over the years, some of which have been downright disturbing.
1. Listeria-Tainted Frozen Peas
In April 2017, Aldi had to recall over 2,000 packages of Season’s Best Frozen Sweet Peas from stores in seven states due to a listeria outbreak. While no illnesses were reported, listeria can be deadly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. The recall was a scary reminder of how even seemingly harmless veggies can harbor dangerous bacteria.
Listeria is a particularly sneaky pathogen because it can survive and even grow in cold temperatures, making frozen foods a potential risk. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea, and the infection can lead to serious complications like meningitis, sepsis, and even death in severe cases. Pregnant women who contract listeriosis can suffer miscarriage, stillbirth, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
To prevent listeria contamination, manufacturers need to follow strict hygiene protocols and regularly test their products for the bacteria. Consumers should also take precautions by thoroughly cooking frozen vegetables and avoiding raw milk cheeses and deli meats unless they’re reheated to steaming hot.
2. Uninspected Pork Products
In May 2023, Aldi had to recall a whopping 40,763 pounds of pork products because they hadn’t been properly inspected by the USDA. The recall included raw bone-in pork chops and pork tenderloin sold under the store’s Appleton Farms and Never Any! brands. Eating undercooked or contaminated pork can lead to serious illnesses like trichinosis, salmonella, and E. coli infections.
USDA inspection is crucial for ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. Inspectors check for visible signs of disease or contamination, verify that animals are humanely slaughtered, and test for harmful pathogens and illegal drug residues. They also make sure that products are processed under sanitary conditions and contain no undeclared allergens or other adulterants.
When meat or poultry products bypass USDA inspection, there’s no way to know if they meet safety and quality standards. That puts consumers at risk of foodborne illness, injury from foreign objects, or exposure to unlabeled allergens. While no illnesses were linked to Aldi’s uninspected pork, the massive recall underscored the importance of regulatory oversight in the meat industry.
3. Turkey Kielbasa with Bone Fragments
In January 2024, Aldi had to yank over 130,000 pounds of Parkview Turkey Kielbasa from store shelves due to the presence of bone fragments. The recall notice warned that the sausages could contain pieces of sharp bone that might cut the gums or throat if swallowed. Even a small bone fragment could pose a choking hazard, especially for young children or elderly people.
Bone fragments can end up in processed meat products due to sloppy deboning or inadequate quality control measures. Poultry bones are particularly prone to shattering into small, sharp pieces that can be missed by metal detectors or other screening methods. While occasional bone chips are not unusual in ground poultry, large or jagged fragments are considered a serious safety defect that warrants a recall.
To minimize the risk of bone fragments, processors need to use proper deboning techniques, maintain their equipment in good working order, and regularly check finished products for foreign material. Consumers should also take care to examine ground meat before cooking and remove any visible bone pieces.
4. Salmonella-Tainted Charcuterie
In January 2024, Aldi had to pull several varieties of Fratelli Beretta charcuterie from its stores due to salmonella contamination. The tainted meat sickened at least 104 people across four states, with 27 of them requiring hospitalization. The recall included prosciutto, spicy coppa, and other artisanal deli meats that were part of Aldi’s Appleton Farms Gourmet Deli Selection Brand.
Salmonella is a common foodborne pathogen that causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Most people recover within a week, but some may develop severe illness that requires antibiotics or hospitalization. Young children, older adults, and those with weakened immunity are at higher risk of complications like sepsis or reactive arthritis.
Deli meats are particularly susceptible to salmonella contamination because they are often consumed without further cooking. The bacteria can spread during slicing or handling and multiply quickly if the meat is not properly refrigerated. To prevent salmonella, manufacturers need to follow strict sanitation protocols and use validated cooking and cooling processes. Consumers should also keep deli meats chilled and avoid letting them sit out at room temperature for extended periods.
5. Deadly Cantaloupe Recall
In October 2023, Aldi had to recall its salad-cut cantaloupe, cantaloupe chunk, and pineapple spear products in several states due to a salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupes. The outbreak sickened 407 people, hospitalized 159, and claimed six lives across 14 states. It was one of the deadliest food recalls in Aldi’s history.
Cantaloupes have a bumpy surface that provides an ideal hiding place for bacteria. If the melons are not properly washed and sanitized before cutting, any pathogens on the rind can contaminate the flesh and spread to other products cut with the same equipment. Pre-cut melon is especially risky because it provides a moist, nutrient-rich environment for bacteria to flourish.
To prevent cantaloupe contamination, growers need to follow good agricultural practices like proper irrigation and manure management. Processors must also use validated wash methods and maintain strict temperature controls throughout the supply chain. Consumers should scrub whole melons with a clean brush under running water before cutting and refrigerate any leftover pre-cut melon promptly.
6. Listeria in Stone Fruits
In November 2023, Aldi recalled several varieties of peaches, plums, and nectarines due to potential listeria contamination. The recall was linked to a multi-state outbreak that sickened at least 10 people and caused one death. It was a grim reminder that even healthy fruits can harbor deadly pathogens.
Listeria can contaminate stone fruits during growing, harvesting, or processing. The bacteria thrive in cool, damp environments and can form stubborn biofilms on equipment surfaces. Once listeria gets into a processing facility, it can be very difficult to eradicate without extensive cleaning and sanitizing.
To prevent listeria contamination, stone fruit growers need to follow good agricultural and handling practices, including proper irrigation, worker hygiene, and temperature control. Processors must also have robust environmental monitoring programs to detect and eliminate listeria harborage sites. Consumers should rinse stone fruits under running water before eating and cut away any bruised or damaged areas where bacteria might lurk.
7. Plastic-Tainted Cheese
In September 2023, Aldi had to pull a whopping 83,800 cases of Kraft Singles American cheese slices from its stores due to a manufacturing error that left thin plastic film on the cheese, posing a choking hazard. The recall impacted all 50 states and some exports. It was a cheesy mess that left customers feeling ripped off and disgusted.
Foreign objects like plastic, metal, or rubber can end up in food products due to equipment malfunctions, improper maintenance, or human error. Even small pieces of foreign material can cause serious injury if swallowed, especially for young children or elderly people with difficulty chewing or swallowing.
To prevent foreign object contamination, food manufacturers need to maintain their equipment in good working order, use appropriate guards and covers, and regularly inspect finished products for defects. They should also have robust quality control measures in place to quickly detect and correct any issues that arise. Consumers should always examine packaged foods carefully for signs of tampering or damage before eating.
From deadly bacteria to foreign objects, Aldi’s worst recalls run the gamut of food safety hazards. While no grocery store is immune to the occasional slip-up, these scandals are a sobering reminder of how much trust we place in retailers to keep our food safe. As consumers, we have the right to expect that the products on store shelves have been properly vetted and will not make us sick. But we also have a responsibility to handle and prepare food safely in our own kitchens. By working together, we can help prevent foodborne illness and keep the grocery aisles free of nasty surprises.
