Local beef jerky product recalled

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WASHINGTON, DC/WESTFIELD—Nearly 1,400 pounds of Whip City Jerky beef jerky products has been recalled “due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen.”

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall of the approximately 1,391 pounds of beef jerky product from Whip City Jerky, LLC, on Feb. 1, through a press release on the department’s website.

“The important clarification is that there’s no issues with the product, there’s issues with the label,” Whip City Jerky owner Tony Neuser said.

“And only for a specific time period,” he added.

The recall occurred due to the products containing “milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label,” according to the USDA website.

According to Neuser, the issue arose due to the use of a flavoring, garlic Parmesan, which has milk as an ingredient in the seasoning.

“And that product was made in the same room as the other flavors,” Neuser said.

Neuser said that “all it takes is the potential” for an allergen to come in contact with something to induce a recall.

According to Neuser, two days before the USDA recall, the company began their own voluntary recall. Labeling has also been corrected, he noted.

The recall affects a variety of beef jerky items that were produced on various dates between Dec. 18, 2017 to Jan. 31, 2018. The product was shipped to retail stores in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as sold through online and catalog sales.

The recalls, according to the press release, have establishment number “EST. 00948M” in the USDA’s mark of inspection.

From the press release, the following items were listed:

• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY BBQ BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020918, 022318, 030218, 030918, 031618 and 032318.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY BLACK PEPPERED CURRY BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021218, 021918, 022618, 030518, 031218 and 031918.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY CAJUN BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021118, 021818, 022518, 030418, 031118 and 031818.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY HAWAIIAN BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021118, 021818, 022518, 030418, 031118 and 031818.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY HOT ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020918, 022318, 030218, 030918, 031618 and 032318.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY JALEPENO BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021118, 021818, 022518, 030418, 031118 and 031818.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY LEMON PEPPER BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021018, 022418, 030318, 031018 and 031718.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY MAPLE BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020818, 021518, 022218, 030118, 030818, 031518 and 032218.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY MESQUITE BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021018, 022418, 030318, 031018, 031718 and 032418.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020818 through 032418.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY PLAIN BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020818, 030118, 030818, 031518 and 032218.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY RAGIN BUFFALO BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 020918, 022318, 030218, 030918, 031618 and 032318.
• 2.8-oz. packages containing “WHIPCITY JERKY REDHOT RUDOLPH BEEF JERKY,” with BEST WHEN USED BY dates of 021018, 022418, 030318, 031018 and 031718.

According to the press release, the discovery of the issue was made when FSIS personnel conducted routine verification activities.

Both the USDA and Neuser reported no confirmed cases of adverse reactions due to the consumption of the products. However, the USDA urges that anyone concerned should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers with concerns can also contact Tony Neuser, owner of Whip City Jerky, at (413)568-2050, according to the press release.

They can also utilize the 24-hour FSIS virtual representative at AskKaren.gov, or on your mobile device at m.askkaren.gov.

A toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline phone number was also provided, at 1-888-674-6854, and can be reached between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with recorded food messages also available 24 hours a day.

You can also access the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.