Public Health Alert for Misbranded Beef Jerky Products

Detected March 2nd, 2026

Summary

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat beef jerky products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The affected products were produced by a firm that is not subject to FSIS inspection, raising concerns about potential contamination and allergen exposure.

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What changed

The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert concerning ready-to-eat beef jerky products that were misbranded and contained undeclared allergens. The alert specifically addresses products from a firm not under FSIS inspection, indicating a potential lack of oversight regarding food safety standards. The misbranding and undeclared allergens pose a risk to consumers, particularly those with allergies.

While this is a public health alert and not a recall, consumers who have purchased these products are advised to check the FSIS website for specific product details and to avoid consumption. Food manufacturers and retailers should be aware of this alert and review their own product labeling and sourcing practices to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and allergen declaration requirements. The FSIS urges consumers to report any problems with food products to the agency.

What to do next

Review FSIS public health alert for specific product details.
Ensure all product labeling accurately declares all ingredients and allergens.
Verify that all products are sourced from facilities subject to appropriate regulatory oversight.

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PHA-03012026-01 Public Health Alert Unreported Allergens
Active Sun, 03/01/2026 - Current Nationwide

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Beef Jerky Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

Punahele Jerky Company, Inc.

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for beef jerky products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The products may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The ready-to-eat beef jerky items bear best by dates of February 17, 2027 or prior. The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels ]:

6-oz. plastic packages containing "DRIED HAWAIIAN STYLE BEEF CRISPS, ORIGINAL SALT & PEPPER FLAVOR", and bearing establishment number "EST. 2625" inside the USDA mark of inspection.
4-oz. plastic packages containing "PUNAHELE JERKY COMPANY INC UNCLE K'S BEEF CRISPS".
4-oz. plastic packages containing "PUNAHELE JERKY COMPANY INC KILAUEA FIRE SPICY BEEF CRISPS". These items were distributed to retail stores in Hawaii and sold via online sales nationwide.

The problem was discovered during a routine FSIS label review.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a health care provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' pantries. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Sabrina Vaughn, Food Safety and QA Compliance Officer, at 808-961-0877.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.