- Date Issued: June 13, 2025
- Announced By: USDA’s FSIS on June 13, 2025
- Company: King Tallow LLC
- Product: Grass Fed Beef Tallow Artisan Cooking Oil
- Issue: Processed without required federal inspection
- Size: 10.5 oz jars
- Distributed in: Retail locations across Puerto Rico
- Next Steps: Do not consume; return to store or discard
Wanna know more about what happened? Keep on reading.
What Happened?
On June 13, 2025, King Tallow LLC, a company based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, voluntarily recalled 353 pounds of beef tallow products because the items had been produced, packaged, and labeled without the benefit of federal inspection.
The USDA’s FSIS began investigating after receiving an anonymous consumer complaint about beef tallow jars being sold in a store in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Upon review, FSIS found that King Tallow had purchased beef fat from an approved, FSIS-regulated facility, but then processed and repackaged it without maintaining inspection oversight—a federal requirement for any meat-based product meant for human consumption.
Product Recall Table
Brand | Product Name | Size | UPC | Best By Date | Issue |
King Tallow | GRASS FED Beef Tallow ARTISAN COOKING OIL | 10.5 oz. jar | Not listed | 2023–May 2025 | Missing USDA inspection label |
What Caused the Issue?
At its core, the issue is federal noncompliance. King Tallow LLC is not licensed or authorized to process meat products for human consumption. By skipping USDA inspection, the company failed to meet the minimum safety standards required for products entering the retail market.
Here’s a breakdown of the risks and implications:
- Why this matters: The USDA inspection process ensures meat products are produced under sanitary conditions and are safe to eat. Skipping this step undermines consumer confidence and safety.
- Deceptive packaging: The jars included nutrition facts and professional labeling, which can mislead consumers into thinking the product was federally cleared.
- Who is at risk: Any consumer who has purchased or consumed the product, especially:
- Pregnant people
- Seniors
- Immunocompromised individuals
- Children
- Possible symptoms (if the product was contaminated):
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting
- Fever
While no illnesses have been confirmed, the lack of inspection makes it impossible to guarantee the product’s safety.
10 Common Customer Questions You Might Have
1. Is this recall serious?
Yes. Any product made without federal inspection presents a safety risk.
2. What exactly is beef tallow?
It’s rendered beef fat, often used in cooking or frying as a traditional alternative to oils.
3. How do I know if I bought the recalled product?
Check for 10.5 oz jars labeled “GRASS FED Beef Tallow ARTISAN COOKING OIL by KING TALLOW” without the USDA inspection stamp.
4. Why is USDA inspection important?
It verifies that meat products are safe, correctly handled, and produced under sanitary conditions.
5. Can I still cook with the tallow if it smells fine?
No. You can’t determine safety by smell alone. The issue is regulatory and microbial risks may not be detectable by scent.
6. Has anyone gotten sick?
As of now, no illnesses have been reported.
7. Where was this sold?
Retail stores across Puerto Rico, particularly in areas like Carolina.
8. What should I do with the product?
Do not consume it. Return it to the store where you bought it or dispose of it securely.
9. How do I contact King Tallow for questions?
Email Joel Ramos, owner of King Tallow LLC, at [email protected].
10. Where can I get updates?
Visit the USDA FSIS recall page for official announcements.
Here’s What You Should Do
- Don’t use it: Avoid consuming the product, even if it seems fine.
- Check your pantry: Look for 10.5 oz jars labeled “GRASS FED Beef Tallow ARTISAN COOKING OIL by KING TALLOW” with no USDA inspection mark.
- Dispose or return: Throw it away or return it to the store.
- Contact the company: Email [email protected] with questions.
- Report illness: If you feel sick after consuming it, contact your doctor and file a report at fsis.usda.gov.
- Spread the word: Share the recall with anyone who may have bought it.
Behind the Brand
King Tallow LLC is a small processor based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, marketing itself as a provider of artisan cooking oil products made from grass-fed beef fat. While this is their first public recall, the nature of the violation—lack of federal inspection—is a serious one in the regulatory space.
Related Recalls This Month:
- On June 3, 2025, Sulu Organics LLC issued a recall of 6,166 pounds of pork lard and beef tallow products due to lack of federal inspection.
- On May 17, 2025, Snack Mania Brazilian Delights Corp. recalled approximately 9,722 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat chicken coxinhas. Why? They skipped a pretty important step—federal inspection.
- On May 16, 2025, Fijian Import & Export Co. Inc. recalled approximately 127 pounds of imported FOUR ‘N TWENTY Traveller Philly Cheesesteak Pastries because of failure to present the meat pies to the USDA’s FSIS for mandatory import reinspection.
- On April 30, 2025, Ferrarini USA, Inc. issued a recall of around 70 pounds of its imported, ready-to-eat sliced prosciutto. Why? Because the meat skipped a critical step in its U.S. debut—mandatory import reinspection by the USDA’s FSIS.
- On March 31, 2025, Allen Family Foods recalled its White Chicken Chili due to product imported without FSIS reinspection.
“When companies bypass inspection, they also bypass consumer trust. Recalls like this one make it clear—food safety isn’t just a box to check; it’s a vital part of protecting public health and maintaining confidence across the supply chain.” — Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86
These incidents highlight the ongoing need for traceability and compliance in small-scale operations.
Ensuring Safe Eats
This recall raises important questions for bulk buyers, co-manufacturers, and importers: How can we ensure product integrity at every stage? Whether you’re sourcing shelf-stable tallow or specialty meats, regulatory compliance isn’t just paperwork—it’s a critical step in safeguarding consumer health and maintaining brand credibility.
For brands looking to avoid this kind of exposure:
- Always verify your inspection credentials.
- Keep processing in federally approved facilities.
- Don’t shortcut labeling or safety documentation.
If you’ve purchased this product, dispose of it or return it to the point of sale. For food safety professionals, this case is a strong reminder to keep traceability systems up to date and reinforce supplier vetting protocols.
Need help sourcing safe, compliant ingredients for your brand or private label? Contact Source86 for trusted sourcing solutions tailored to your needs.
