Olympia Provisions Recalls 1,930 Pounds of Holiday Kielbasa Over Possible Metal Contamination

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) has announced that Olympia Provisions is recalling ready-to-eat holiday kielbasa sausage products due to possible contamination with foreign material, specifically metal. According to the agency, the company distributed a limited quantity of fully cooked sausages to retail locations in several West Coast states and sold them nationwide through online channels.

Regulators said the company initiated the recall after receiving a consumer complaint reporting metal in the product. The USDA FSIS confirmed that it has received no reports of injury but urged consumers to take the recall seriously and avoid consuming the affected sausage.

Olympia Provisions recall: quick summary

This USDA FSIS recall involves approximately 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat holiday kielbasa produced by Olympia Provisions. The issue stems from possible metal contamination discovered following a consumer complaint. The company sold the affected product in California, Oregon, and Washington and distributed it nationwide through direct-to-consumer online sales. Although regulators have confirmed no illnesses or injuries, they remain concerned that some packages may still be in home refrigerators or freezers and are advising consumers not to eat the product.

What happened?

The USDA FSIS said Olympia Provisions initiated the recall after receiving a consumer complaint reporting metal in a package of holiday kielbasa. The agency announced the recall on Dec. 19, 2025.

In its recall notice, the USDA FSIS warned consumers not to eat the affected product and said they should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. Olympia Provisions produced the sausage on Oct. 14, 2025, shipped it to retail locations in California, Oregon, and Washington, and sold additional units nationwide through its direct-to-consumer online channel.

While no injuries have been confirmed, the agency emphasized caution. “Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider,” the notice said.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Best by date	Issue	Affected states
Olympia Provisions	Uncured Holiday Kielbasa	16 oz	02/19/26	Possible metal contamination	CA, OR, WA; nationwide online

What caused the issue?

According to the USDA FSIS notice, a consumer reported finding metal in the product, prompting the company to identify the problem. Foreign material contamination can pose a risk of injury, including dental damage or choking, particularly for children and older adults. The agency confirmed that no adverse reactions have been reported so far.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume the recalled kielbasa
• Check the side of the package for the “BEST IF USED BY 02/19/26” date and EST. 39928
• Dispose of the product or return it to the retailer for a refund
• Contact Olympia Provisions at [email protected] with questions

Behind the brand

Olympia Provisions is a Portland, Oregon–based producer known for its handcrafted cured meats and sausages. In its recall notice, the company stated that it has ceased distribution of the affected product and is working closely with the USDA FSIS. Source86 reached out to Olympia Provisions for additional comment on how the issue occurred, but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

Similar foreign material recalls have affected ready-to-eat meat products across the U.S. in recent years, highlighting ongoing challenges in processing and inspection. Notably, LSI, Inc. recalled Golden Island pork jerky after reports of possible metal contamination, while Hormel Foods also issued a recall of ready-to-eat frozen chicken products over concerns that metal fragments may have entered the food during production. Together, these incidents underscore the persistent risks associated with mechanical processing and the importance of robust detection and quality control systems throughout the supply chain.

“The biggest concern tends to be metal because that can be very dangerous if somebody chewed on it or swallowed it, and it’s also so present in the manufacturing process,” said Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, explaining why foreign objects such as metal in food products pose a serious safety risk.

Related Safety Alert: Metal Hazards in Cookware (January 2026) While the Olympia Provisions recall addresses physical metal fragments found in food, a separate safety alert has been issued for the vessels used to cook it. IKM has recalled specific aluminum and brass cookware items—including traditional Kadais and saucepans—due to the risk of lead leaching from the metal alloy. This highlights a dual threat in the kitchen: contaminants can originate not just from ingredients, but from the tools themselves. For a full list of the affected pots and retailer locations in California, read our detailed report: IKM Recalls Metal Cookware Due to Lead Contamination Risk.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said these events underscore a broader industry lesson:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Ensuring safe eats

This recall is a reminder of the importance of robust quality controls in ready-to-eat meat production. For consumers, checking labels and staying informed can help reduce risk. Companies, meanwhile, must continue investing in inspection, traceability, and preventive controls to avoid similar incidents.

At Source86, we support food brands with supply chain transparency, FSQA oversight, and private label expertise to help ensure safer products reach the market. Contact us.