USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Punahele Beef Jerky Due to Undeclared Soy
USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for Punahele beef jerky products containing undeclared soy lecithin. Consumers are advised not to consume the items.
The agency’s classification
USDA FSIS: Public Health Alert
Public Health Alert is a warning FSIS issues when there is a food-safety concern but a recall is not requested, typically because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.
This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves allergen mislabeling on a common allergen (soy) without reported illness, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a High severity score.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for specific ready-to-eat beef jerky products manufactured by Punahele Jerky Company, Inc. The alert was issued because the products may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product labels. This constitutes misbranding and an undeclared allergen issue.
The affected products include 6-oz. packages of "DRIED HAWAIIAN STYLE BEEF CRISPS, ORIGINAL SALT & PEPPER FLAVOR" (EST. 2625), 4-oz. packages of "PUNAHELE JERKY COMPANY INC UNCLE K'S BEEF CRISPS", and 4-oz. packages of "PUNAHELE JERKY COMPANY INC KILAUEA FIRE SPICY BEEF CRISPS". These items bear best by dates of February 17, 2027, or prior. The products were distributed to retail stores in Hawaii and sold via online sales nationwide. The issue was identified during a routine FSIS label review.
There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers' pantries. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a health care provider.
The recalled product
- Product
- FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Beef Jerky Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
- Brand
- Punahele Jerky Company, Inc.
- Manufacturer
- Punahele Jerky Company, Inc.
- Category
- Food — Beef Jerky
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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