Public Health Alert USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Beef and Pork Products Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection

Recall published 7 months ago

Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

The hazard: Undeclared allergen or ingredient

The food itself is fine. What is wrong is the label, and for the households that rely on that label it is a real risk.

What the notice says: Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

Why it matters: An ingredient that U.S. law requires to be declared is present but missing from the label. People who avoid that ingredient cannot make a safe choice from the packaging.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
PHA-03252026-01
Published
March 25, 2026
Risk level
Public Health Alert
Status
Closed
Issued by
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
Product type
Beef products
Distribution
Nationwide
Made in
United States

Products covered by this recall

5-lb. box of 8-oz. packages containing a VACUUM-PACKED piece of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC BEEF NEW YORK STRIP STEAK," with "EST. 1996" inside the USDA mark of inspection. 10-lb. box of 16-oz. packages containing a VACUUM-PACKED package of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC GROUND BEEF." 5-lb. box of 8-oz. packages containing a VACUUM-PACKED package of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS GRASS FED ORGANIC BEEF STEW MEAT," with "EST. 1996" inside the USDA mark of inspection. 5-lb. box of 8-oz. packages containing a VACUUM-PACKED piece of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC BEEF STEAK STRIPS," with "EST. 1996" inside the USDA mark of inspection. 1-lb. VACUUM-PACKED package of "BLACKWING MEATS BLACKWING BEEF GROUND FROM ORGANIC BEEF," without USDA mark of inspection. 12-oz. VACUUM-PACKED package of "BLACKWING MEATS PORK GROUND MADE FROM ORGANIC PORK," without USDA mark of inspection. 12-oz. VACUUM-PACKED package of "BLACKWING MEATS Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops 2-6oz Made from Organic Pork," without the USDA mark of inspection.

Check your product

The notice names 9 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Establishment number

Inside the USDA mark of inspection on the label.

  • 1996

Model or item number

On the rating label, the box or the instruction sheet.

  • March 2026. T

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 5 lb
  • 8 oz
  • 10 lb
  • 16 oz
  • 1 lb
  • 12 oz
  • 6 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the USDA FSIS — Recalls & public health alerts notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Allergen

The food itself is fine. What is wrong is the label, and for the households that rely on that label it is a real risk.

  1. Read the official notice above for the exact ingredient involved, then check whether anyone in your home avoids it.
  2. Warn anyone else who eats from your kitchen, including schools and childminders.
  3. Report any reaction to the FDA so it is recorded against this recall.
  4. If nobody here avoids it, the product is safe to eat; the refund is still available if you would rather return it.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: Company Contact Blackwing Meats, President Roger Gerber 847-838-4888 [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the USDA FSIS — Recalls & public health alerts record USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Beef products recalled?

Produced Without Benefit of Inspection Produced Without Benefit of Inspection

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: establishment number 1996; model number March 2026. T. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the official notice above for the exact ingredient involved, then check whether anyone in your home avoids it.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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