By: Richard L. Smith
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for several beef jerky products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, according to information released by the agency.
Officials say the ready-to-eat beef jerky items may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not listed on the product labels.
While the products are no longer available for purchase and a recall was not requested, FSIS is advising consumers who may still have the items in their possession to be aware of the potential risk.
The affected products bear best-by dates of February 17, 2027, or earlier and include:
• 6-ounce packages labeled “Dried Hawaiian Style Beef Crisps, Original Salt & Pepper Flavor” with establishment number “EST. 2625” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
• 4-ounce packages labeled “Punahele Jerky Company Inc Uncle K’s Beef Crisps.”
• 4-ounce packages labeled “Punahele Jerky Company Inc Kilauea Fire Spicy Beef Crisps.”
The products were distributed to retail stores in Hawaii and were also sold nationwide through online orders.
FSIS officials said the issue was identified during a routine label review. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions related to consumption of the products at this time.
Consumers who have purchased these items and are concerned about a possible allergic reaction are advised to consult a healthcare provider.
Soy is one of the major food allergens recognized by federal regulations, and individuals with soy allergies could experience serious or life-threatening reactions if exposed.
FSIS continues to monitor the situation and encourages consumers to check product labels carefully if they have allergies or sensitivities.
More information can be found on the USDA FSIS website.