Home / Health / Undeclared Soy in Beef Jerky Sparks Public Health Alert
Undeclared Soy in Beef Jerky Sparks Public Health Alert
2 Mar
Summary
- Beef jerky sold in Hawaii and nationwide may contain undeclared soy lecithin.
- The affected products are no longer available for purchase.
- No illnesses reported, but consumers urged to discard or return jerky.
A public health alert was issued on March 1 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) concerning three types of ready-to-eat beef jerky from Punahele Jerky Company, Inc. These products were found to potentially contain soy lecithin, a significant allergen, which was not declared on their ingredient labels. The affected jerky was distributed to retail stores across Hawaii and sold online throughout the United States. All three recalled products carried a best-by-date of February 17, 2027, or earlier.
The FSIS initiated this alert following a routine label review. Importantly, a formal recall was not necessary as the implicated beef jerky products are no longer available for purchase or consumption. The FSIS is advising consumers who may still possess these items to discard them or return them to the place of purchase. At the time of the announcement, no adverse reactions or illnesses had been confirmed in connection with these jerky products. Consumers experiencing any allergic reactions are advised to seek medical attention and can contact Punahele Jerky Company or the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline with questions.
