Outdoor cooking enthusiasts across the nation are facing an unexpected health hazard at the backyard grill this season.

Health regulators and emergency physicians are renewing warnings regarding standard wire cleaning brushes. The thin metal bristles frequently detach during scrubbing, sticking unnoticed to hot barbecue grates and transferring directly into burgers and steaks.

With accidental ingestion causing severe digestive tract injuries, consumer safety advocates urge grill masters to replace metal scrapers with bristle-free alternatives immediately.