Western PA Family Sickened by Buckshot in Ribs

March 2008

A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area family received an unexpected surprise when they ate a rib dinner purchased at a local Wal-Mart. Buckshot was embedded in the meat and bone of the meat and sent members of the family to the hospital with food poisoning.

One day after consuming the ribs, family members suffered from cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. They later found metal fragments in the food and police confirmed that it was buckshot. Doctors at South Side Hospital diagnosed nine members of the family with food poisoning.

The ribs were purchased at the West Mifflin Wal-Mart, just outside of Pittsburgh. The meat was distributed by Smithfield Foods.