Metal tip found in Calgary boy’s burger may be meat tenderizing needle: Expert

A food safety expert says a metal object a Calgary man says his son bit into while eating dinner appears to be a meat tenderizing needle. Photo: Getty Images

CALGARY — A food safety expert says a metal object a Calgary man says his son bit into while eating dinner appears to be a meat tenderizing needle.

James Deane, who is six, was eating a hamburger made from meat purchased from Costco on Wednesday night when he bit into a piece of metal which looks like the tip of a needle.

Domenic Pedulla, president of Canadian Food Safety Group, says meat is injected with brine or flavouring a lot of times because they’re using a lower quality or tough cut.

James’ father, Mike Deane, contacted Costco and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after finding the needle.

Costco confirms the meat was purchased at its south Calgary store, and has started an investigation with the supplier, JBS Food Canada, Inc., which has a plant in Brooks, Alta.

JBS says it is aware of the allegations and is co-operating with the investigation.

Pedulla says processors run their products through metal detectors to avoid such situations.

He says foreign objects in food are becoming less common “because processors are tightening up their procedures and the technology is getting better.”

James explained what happened.

“I was chewing my burger in my mouth, then I felt this needle in my very back tooth,” he recalled. “Then I tried to get it out. The first time it didn’t come out, the second time it came out.”

“For a good 10 to 15 seconds I was awestruck,” dad Mike said. “What if he had swallowed it, what if it was lodged in his throat?

“I want them to investigate and find out why the needle is there. That was in my son’s mouth … I want to know what was in that needle and what it was used for.”