The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a warning about certain beef jerky products sold in Hawaii and nationwide online.
However, authorities stopped short of announcing a recall.
“The products may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label,” FSIS officials said. “A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.”
The public health alert applies to three flavors of 6-ounce and 4-ounce plastic packages.
They include Dried Hawaiian Style Beef Crisps, original salt & pepper flavor, Uncle K’s Beef Crisps, and Kilauea Fire Spicy Beef Crisps.
Best by dates are Feb. 17, 2027, or prior, and the beef jerky was distributed to retail stores in Hawaii and sold via online sales nationwide.
While the problem was discovered during a routine FSIS label review, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to eating the sticks.
However, the FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers' pantries.
FSIS urged consumers who purchased the product to avoid eating it, dispose of it, or return it to the place of purchase.
The other allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and sesame.
Last month, 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef distributed in three states were recalled due to concerns about contamination with E. coli.
The FSIS said recall is applicable in California, Idaho, and Oregon, where the meat was further distributed to food service locations, such as restaurants.
CS Beef Packers company leaders noted that the beef was produced under USDA, FSIS federal regulations and supervision.
"All raw materials tested Negative for E. coli O157:H7,” authorities said. “Each lot yielded acceptable results with no pathogen being found. The issue was discovered due to FSIS testing at a downstream customer a few weeks after production which showed presence of E. coli 0145.”
However, company leaders said there have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of the meat to date.