The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on March 25 a public health alert regarding several raw beef and pork products that were produced without federal inspection and may have a false mark of inspection.
This alert is important because food made without proper inspection can contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants that could put consumer health at risk. FSIS said it is continuing to investigate the issue and may add more products to the alert as new information becomes available.
The affected items include various vacuum-packed Blackwing Meats beef and pork products, some of which falsely display establishment number “EST. 1996” inside a USDA mark of inspection. These products were distributed nationwide to wholesale and retail locations. The issue was found during an ongoing FSIS investigation, according to the agency’s announcement.
There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury linked to these products so far. FSIS advised consumers who are concerned about possible illness or injury after consuming these items to contact their healthcare provider. The agency also warned that some affected products might still be in retailers’ or consumers’ freezers, urging people not to eat them but instead throw them away or return them where they were purchased.
For questions about this public health alert, Roger Gerber, President of Blackwing Meats, can be contacted at 847-838-4888. Consumers with food safety questions can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or use the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System for reporting problems with meat, poultry, or egg products.
In Oregon, the Department of Agriculture plays a key role in supporting agricultural safety initiatives such as weed management programs and emergency preparedness efforts according to its official website. The department provides services including weed biocontrol, seed testing, tractor safety training per its official website, oversees pesticide licensing as outlined on its website, supports family-owned farms contributing to local economies according to its official site, operates statewide programs serving producers across Oregon as noted on its website, manages oversight for cannabis production along with farm safety resources according to the agency, and is led by Lisa Charpilloz Hanson who brings experience in agricultural policy administration as detailed by the department.
As investigations continue into this matter nationally by FSIS authorities, state-level agencies like Oregon’s Department of Agriculture remain engaged in ensuring safe practices throughout all sectors involved in food production.
