More than 22,000 pounds of Johnsonville cheddar bratwurst were just recalled—because people found plastic inside them. Yes, you read that right. One of America’s most trusted sausage brands is under fire after customers bit into their bratwursts and discovered hard plastic.
The USDA immediately issued a Class I recall—the most serious type—meaning this contamination could potentially cause serious health risks or even death. The affected brats, labeled “Johnsonville BRATS CHEDDAR Bratwurst” with Est. 1647, were sold in stores across ten states, from Georgia to Wisconsin.
No injuries have been reported—yet. But officials are sounding the alarm because many of these sausages could still be sitting in freezers. If you bought these, don’t eat them. Toss them out or return them.
But this isn’t just a one-off. According to Fortune, food recalls due to plastic contamination hit a five-year high in 2024. Just last year, Trader Joe’s recalled 61,000 pounds of soup dumplings for the same reason: plastic fragments. Sometimes it’s from packaging. Other times, it’s machinery failures in massive food plants.
And this isn’t just about choking hazards. Emerging research suggests that plastic particles—especially microplastics—could disrupt hormones, damage gut health, and even harm reproductive organs.
So what’s being done? Lawmakers are pushing for stricter regulations. Europe is banning certain plastic packaging by 2030. In the U.S., the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act is gaining traction—but change is slow.
Plastic doesn’t belong in our food. Check your labels. Stay informed. And demand better from the companies feeding your family.
Stay updated by checking the FDA’s recall database regularly.
