US issues health alert over uninspected beef and pork products with false inspection marks
Officials warn of potential contamination risks due to lack of federal inspection
USA – The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for a range of raw beef and pork products produced without federal inspection, warning that some items may carry unauthorised inspection markings.
The agency said products that bypass official inspection processes may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria or other contaminants that could pose risks to consumers.
According to the alert, the affected items were produced between April 2024 and March 2026 and distributed to both wholesale and retail outlets across the United States.
The products listed include vacuum-packed beef and pork items sold under the Blackwing brand, such as organic New York strip steak, ground beef, stew meat, steak strips, ground pork and boneless pork chops in various package sizes.
Officials noted that several of the beef products were labelled with “EST. 1996” inside what appears to be a United States Department of Agriculture inspection mark, which has been identified as unauthorised.
Other listed items lacked any official inspection mark, raising further concerns about compliance with federal food safety requirements.
The issue was identified during an ongoing FSIS investigation, though the agency did not disclose specific details about how the products entered the market.
While no illnesses or injuries have been confirmed in connection with the affected products, authorities are advising consumers to avoid using them and to follow retailers’ guidance on disposal or returns.
FSIS said it will continue monitoring the situation as part of its enforcement efforts to ensure that meat and poultry products in the market meet federal safety standards.
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