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 an undeclared allergen.
The products may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the label. No recall was requested because the items are no longer available for purchase.
The alert applies to beef jerky products produced by Punahele Jerky Company, Inc., based in Hilo, Hawaii.
The affected items bear establishment number “EST. 2625” inside the USDA mark of inspection and have best-by dates of February 17, 2027 or earlier.
Products subject to the alert include:
– 6-oz. packages labeled “Dried Hawaiian Style Beef Crisps, Original Salt & Pepper Flavor”
– 4-oz. packages labeled “Uncle K’s Beef Crisps”
– 4-oz. packages labeled “Kilauea Fire Spicy Beef Crisps”
The items were distributed to retail stores in Hawaii and sold via online channels nationwide.
According to Food Safety and Inspection Service, the issue was discovered during a routine label review. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions.
Consumers who purchased the products are advised not to consume them and to discard or return them to the place of purchase.
What Is The FSIS Public Health Alert?
An FSIS public health alert is issued when a product presents a potential health risk but is no longer available for sale. Unlike a recall, the alert serves to inform consumers who may still have the product at home. In this case, the concern relates to undeclared soy — one of the major allergens regulated under U.S. food labeling laws.
Why Undeclared Allergens Matter in Retail
Undeclared allergens remain one of the leading causes of food recalls and regulatory alerts in the United States. Soy is classified as a major allergen. Even small quantities can trigger serious reactions in sensitive individuals.
For supermarkets and FMCG suppliers, allergen mislabeling creates:
• Compliance risk
• Legal exposure
• Brand trust damage
• Supply chain traceability pressure
Routine FSIS verification reviews are designed to identify these risks before wider harm occurs.
Alert Overview
Product: Ready-to-eat beef jerky
Risk: Undeclared soy lecithin
Recall status: No recall requested
Distribution: Hawaii retail stores + online nationwide
Adverse reactions: None confirmed
Consumers with food safety questions can contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline.
The FSIS public health alert highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny around allergen labeling accuracy in shelf-stable meat snacks, a growing segment within U.S. supermarket protein categories.
Editor’s Note: This report is based on the official USDA FSIS public health alert issued March 1, 2026.
