Outbreaks & Recalls

Huge Boudin Recall Due to Foreign Matter Contamination

DJ’s Boudain LLC issues huge boudin recall after complaints of foreign matter contamination.

When you dig into a juicy link of boudin, you expect to find flavor, not plastic. But that is what at least one disappointed consumer discovered in their DJ’s Boudain. This prompted a huge boudin recall. Just before Mardi Gras too.

What terrible timing!

Here’s what you need to know about this huge boudin recall and what to do if you have consumed it.

Boudin Recall Announced for DJ’s Boudain, LLC Products

The United State Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall for nearly 9 tons of DJ’s Boudain, LLC boudin products due to “possible foreign matter contamination.”

This type of recall happens when foreign matter is discovered in a food product. In this case, a consumer complaint prompted the recall.

In all, around 17,720 pounds of select sell-by dates of Original and Jalapeno varieties produced on January 23, 2025 were recalled.

Boudin Recall Product Details

Affected product bears the establishment number “EST. 13246” inside the USDA mark of inspection. Recalled product was shipped to distributor, restaurant, and retail locations in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Complete list of recalled products includes:

  • DJ’s Original Boudain Vacuum-Packaged for Retail
    • Package size: 24-oz
    • Product code: 42164
    • Sell-By: 3/9/2025
  • DJ’s Original Boudain Bulk-Packed (fresh)
    • Product code: 20499
    • Sell-By: 2/8/2025
  • DJ’s Original Boudain Bulk-Packed (frozen)
    • Product code: 20499
    • Sell-By: 2/8/2025
  • DJ’s Original Boudain Vacuum-Packed for Retail
    • Package size: 12-oz
    • Product code: 33102
    • Sell-By: 3/9/2025
  • DJ’s Original Boudain Vacuum-Packed for Retail
    • Package size: 16-oz
    • Product code: 80573
    • Sell-By: 3/9/2025
  • DJ’s Original Boudain Bulk-Packed (fresh)
    • Product code: 12498
    • Sell-By: 2/8/2025
  • DJ’s Original Boudain Bulk-Packed (frozen)
    • Product code: 12498
    • Sell-By: 7/22/2025
  • DJ’s Jalapeno Boudain Bulk-Packed (frozen)
    • Product code: 41346
    • Sell-By: 7/22/2025
  • DJ’s Jalapeno Boudain Vacuum-Packaged for Retail
    • Package size: 12-oz
    • Product code: 30402
    • Sell-By: 3/9/2025
  • DJ’s Jalapeno Boudain Bulk-Packed (frozen)
    • Product code: 90758
    • Sell-By: 7/22/2025

What Exactly is Foreign Matter Contamination

The FSIS explains that “Only wholesome, unadulterated product is eligible to bear the mark of inspection and to enter commerce.” Foreign objects such as glass, plastic, lead shot, metal, rubber, steel, or wood, among other things, is considered “foreign material” or “foreign matter.”

This recall was initiated due to the FSIS requirement that “If an incident occurs in which product may have become contaminated with a foreign material, the establishment is to examine the suspect product and sort out and properly decontaminate or dispose of any adulterated product.”

If that product has made it to consumers, a recall must be announced.

Sometimes Size Really Does Matter

In the case of foreign matter contamination, size actually does matter.

For most products there is a specific size range that applies to this category.

According to the FDA Compliance Policy Guide, sharp objects between 7 and 25 mm found in Ready-to-Eat foods are dangerous and meet the “criteria for direct reference seizure.”  Their criteria for recommending legal action was very specific.  If the food product requires additional preparation (not ready-to-eat) hard or sharp objects must be between 7 and 25 mm in size.  This drops to anything less than 7 mm if the product is intended for special-risk groups such as children and the elderly.  Anything over 25 mm in length also falls under this recommendation without any stipulations.

What Could Happen If You Consume Food Contaminated with Foreign Matter?

An unexpected hard or sharp object in food that you wouldn’t reasonably expect to find it can cause an injury or choking in both adults and children. Where the hard or sharp object ends up will generally determine which type of injury is possible.

Digestive Tract

Consuming food contaminated with hard or sharp foreign objects may cause serious injury to parts of the digestive tract that it comes in contact with.  These include, but are not limited to:

  • Esophageal laceration (a tear or cut that does not penetrate the walls of the esophagus)
  • Esophageal perforation (a tear or cut that results in a hole in the walls of the esophagus)
  • Fistula formation (two tissues fuse together as a result of injury)
  • Laceration or perforation of the pharynx, stomach, and/or intestine

Mouth and Teeth

The mouth and teeth may become injured or damaged as a result of consuming hard or sharp foreign objects.  These injuries include, but are not limited to:

  • Lacerations of the mouth
  • Lacerations of the tongue
  • Chipped teeth
  • Broken fillings
  • Damage to prosthetics

Other Hazards

  • Lacerations on the hands that may occur while handling or preparing food
  • Other illness such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, dizziness, and/or chest pain

The most common injury reported based on FDA consumer complaints was mouth or throat lacerations.

At Least One Injury Reported

The boudin recall was initiated following not only a consumer complaint of discovering “a piece of a pen” while eating the Original Boudain sausage links product. But because they became injured as a result.

The recall announcement read, “There has been one reported oral injury associated with consumption of this product.” While no other reports of illness have been reported, the agency explains that “anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.”

What Should You Do If You Have Consumed Recalled Product?

If you discover that you have consumed recalled product, there are a few things to consider.

Generally, ingested foreign objects will pass naturally through the digestive system. This often takes around four to seven days to happen.

Around 1 to 5% of these situations will result in injury.

So, what do you do?

Get Medical Attention

If you believe you have ingested foreign material, particularly from this boudin recall, you should get medical attention. Especially if the person consuming the recalled product was a child.

Monitor Your Bowel Movements

If you are fortunate enough to not receive oral injury from consuming foreign matter, the risk is still not yet over. This potentially dangerous object may still cause damage to the rest of the digestive system.

Monitor your bowel movements for changes in color or constipation. If you experience bloody or dark stool, you could have bleeding in your digestive system.

Get medical help right away!

Get Advice

If you have become injured from consuming foreign matter, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced food safety attorney. This type of personal injury involves specific criteria and details. Trust a firm that has represented families with cases just like yours.

The Lange Law Firm Can Help!

If you or a family member have been injured from this DJ’s Boudain LLC boudin recall and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a foreign matter lawyer that can help.

Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no-obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation. Or fill out the online submission form and someone will get back to you right away.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)

Heather Van Tassell

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