Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen in Beef Jerky Products from a California Company Results in FSIS Public Health Alert

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The products were sold under several names and the jerky was processed by a company in California.

According to the FSIS alert, the product may contain anchovies, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert out of the utmost of caution to ensure that consumers with allergic reactions to anchovies are aware that these products should not be consumed. This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product because of the presence of undeclared allergens.

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) requires that food labels clearly identify the food source names of all ingredients that are, or contain any protein derived from, the eight most common food allergens. These account for 90% of allergic reactions to foods and include eggs, wheat, milk, crustacean shellfish, fish, tree nuts, peanuts and soybeans.

“A total of fourteen beef jerky products, available in packaging of various sizes, are part of this public health alert,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “They were distributed for wholesale and also sent to retail locations in California. FSIS has also expressed concerns that some of these products may be in consumers’ pantries.”

The food scientists at LA Testing can assist food manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, regulators and health officials with labeling and testing requirements. They offer a wide range of food testing and labeling services that can be essential for the public especially relating to consuming products with known allergens.

To learn more about food allergen, labeling or other testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail