Woman Finds Live Bullets In Her Costco Hot Dog

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Stories of bizarre objects found in food, like condoms and fingers, often go viral, eliciting shock and disgust. But for one Mission Viejo woman, her unsettling discovery in a Costco hot dog brought real medical concerns.

In 2004, Olivia Chanes headed to her local Costco food court for a quick lunch. As she bit into the hot dog, she encountered something unexpectedly hard. “At first I thought it was part of my braces,” Chanes told reporters. But to her astonishment, it turned out to be a live 9-millimeter bullet. Even more alarming, after developing severe stomach pains, doctors discovered Chanes had swallowed a second bullet that was now lodged in her digestive tract.

This harrowing case, detailed in the Los Angeles Times, raises multiple questions. How did live ammo end up in a supposedly safe, ready-to-eat food item? Was this an isolated incident or indicative of larger issues around Costco’s food handling practices? A spokesperson at Costco declined to comment.

The Police Response To The Costco Hot Dog Bullet Incident

While the source of the bullets remains a mystery, law enforcement sprang into action. The Irvine Police Department was called to the scene shortly after Chanes reported biting the bullet. They also tested hot dogs still in the Costco inventory, even cutting dozens of Hebrew National hot dogs open in search of more contaminants. Thankfully all other packages seemed clear of hazards.

The Victim’s Recovery

Costco has remained largely silent around this incident, declining media requests for comments. And with Chanes prioritizing her health over pressing legal charges, Costco seems to have avoided serious fallout besides some reputational damage.

As for Chanes herself, ingesting live ammo wreaked some serious havoc on her body. Many types of bullets contain lead and other heavy metals hazardous if leaked internally. But despite the risks, Doctors likely recommended letting the bullet pass naturally to avoid further contaminating her stomach tissue or intestines during surgery.

While her bullet-riddled hot dog ordeal concluded fairly quietly, this bizarre case still leaves many feeling unsettled about warehouse food courts. It challenges assumptions that big chains have “bulletproof” food safety procedures, revealing oversights even at mega stores like Costco.

Look Before You Bite

So next time you grab a quick bite before shopping, consider taking a peek inside. You likely won’t find any bullets, but staying vigilant around food preparation can’t hurt. And if you ever discover concerning contaminants, speak up right away before consuming. Your health and safety should come first, well ahead of any store’s reputation.