Here’s The Reason Why 23K Pounds Of Johnsonville Cheddar Bratwurst Got Recalled, Folks Are Appalled

Food contamination stories are becoming so common these days that eating anything can be a cause for concern. The worst part is that when you open the internet, you find experts warning you not to consume this or that. Now, to eat or not to eat, that is the question!

Recently, the sausage company Johnsonville came under scrutiny as FSIS warned their cheddar bratwurst may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically hard plastic material. The company had to recall 22,672 pounds of the product after receiving complaints from two consumers about the same issue.

Wisconsin-based sausage company Johnsonville recalled almost 23K pounds of its cheddar bratwurst

Cheddar bratwursts served on a plate, highlighting product recall due to hard plastic discovery.

Image credits: timolina / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The FSIS announced that the product may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically hard plastic, after complaints from 2 consumers

Just like always, the Wisconsin-based sausage company Johnsonville produced a batch of its cheddar bratwurst on February 5, 2025. However, trouble brewed after two consumers complained to the company that they had found plastic in their brats. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) declared it a plastic hazard.

Here are the exact details of the product:

• Johnsonville cheddar bratwurst
• 19-ounce, 5-count packages
• Packaging code: B9FOD
• Establishment number reading: Est. 1647

It has been announced that the product may contain foreign material, specifically hard plastic. Therefore, about 22,672 pounds of this sausage is being recalled from 10 states, including Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin, where it was sent to retail stores. 

Aldi store exterior, related to hard plastic found in cheddar bratwursts recall.

Image credits: Marques Thomas / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

While the news has spread across the nation and the brats have been recalled, the FSIS has also expressed concern that folks who have already purchased it might still have the products in their freezers. Well, if you are one of them, be warned not to consume the sausages, and either throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. 

Of course, consuming plastic can be a choking hazard, but it has also been observed that there can be other problems like gastrointestinal issues, allergic reactions, or toxicity symptoms. The FSIS recall is marked as Class I, which, just as it does on the FDA’s recall classification scale, indicates that the consumption of this product could cause serious health issues and even fatality. 

They have alerted that anybody who has consumed the product and is concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider at the earliest!

Cheddar bratwursts in a skillet, involved in a recall due to hard plastic found in products.

Image credits: Kelsey Todd / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

People are strictly warned not to consume the 19-ounce, 5-count packages of the bratwurst produced on February 5, 2025

Although a popular company, this is not the first time that Johnsonville has been under the recall radar. Just last year, approximately 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage was recalled as it faced contamination with foreign products, specifically pieces of rubber. The year before that, 42,000 pounds of its smoked sausage was recalled due to contamination with very thin strands of black plastic fibers.

Things even date back to 2019, when the company witnessed 2 foreign material recalls in January and May. It was observed that first, over 48,000 pounds of pork were recalled due to possible rubber contamination, while the second recalled more than 95,000 pounds of jalapeño smoked sausage because it potentially contained hard green plastic. 

Colorful abstract wall resembling a gum mosaic, related to plastic in cheddar bratwursts recall.

Image credits: Marc Newberry / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

While we can’t say for sure what went wrong with Johnsonville’s cheddar bratwurst production, the common cause is generally faulty machinery or lack of maintenance, which can cause food contamination. After the news went viral, folks online were quite shocked that these problems keep resurfacing. 

Since anger was running high, many stated that such companies should be held responsible for putting their health at risk. Some also suggested that buying from such big companies was not worth it; instead, buying local would actually be helpful and beneficial for everyone. Do you agree with them? What are your thoughts about the whole troubling issue? Let us know in the comments below!

Netizens were shocked by the news, and many said that the companies should be held responsible for putting their health at risk

Comment on cheddar bratwurst recall due to hard plastic, ensuring safety compliance.

Wurst case scenario text highlights cheddar bratwursts recall due to plastic.

Text about food recalls in the USA emphasizes consumer concerns.

Comment discussing unhealthy foods in relation to health issues, linked to plastic found in cheddar bratwursts.

Comment criticizing food recalls, questioning USDA and quality control over hard plastic found in cheddar bratwursts.

Jane Laurito commenting on cheddar bratwursts recall, advocating buying local over national brands.

Comment discussing using local farmers over cheddar bratwurst with plastic recall news.

Chat message discussing a “Würst-Käse scenario” related to cheddar bratwurst recall.

Text bubble from Raoul Pal expressing concern, highlighting issues with recalled cheddar bratwursts containing hard plastic.

Customer feedback on cheddar bratwursts and company recall decision.

Comment questioning plastic contamination in food products.

Comment about plastic found in cheddar bratwursts, referencing past bacterial concern with Boar's Head.

Facebook comment reacting to hard plastic found in cheddar bratwursts and company recall.

Comment about cheddar bratwurst recall after sale at Kroger, using laughing and surprised emojis.

Comment about cheddar bratwurst recall, mentioning a sale at Kroger.

Comment on plastic in cheddar bratwursts, mentions choking hazard and past experience with plastic piece.

Allison Herr's comment encourages eating local amid cheddar bratwurst recall.

Comment on cheddar bratwursts recall due to hard plastic found, expressing relief.

Comment about feeling sick after consuming cheddar bratwursts.

Text from Brett Meis expressing concern over buying recalled cheddar bratwursts.

Comment by Helen Kuppel reacting to cheddar bratwurst recall, expressing disbelief.

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