Springville Meat Recalls Jerky Products Over Undeclared Anchovies

• Date Issued: May 31, 2025
• Announced By: USDA’s FSIS on June 3, 2025
• Company Name: Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co., Inc.
• Product Recalled: Various beef jerky, beef snack sticks, elk, venison, and buffalo jerky
• Issue: Misbranding and undeclared allergen (fish – anchovies)
• Product Details: Over 15,000 pounds of heat-treated, shelf-stable ready-to-eat (RTE) jerky
• Action: Do not consume – discard or return to place of purchase

Stick around to find out more about this recall — we’re diving deep into mislabeling madness!

What Happened?

On May 31, 2025, Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co., Inc., based in Springville, Utah, announced a recall of approximately 15,388 pounds of jerky products after discovering a major labeling error: the Worcestershire sauce used in their beef and exotic meat jerky contained anchovies—a known fish allergen—but this was not listed on the product labels.

The USDA FSIS inspectors identified the issue during routine production checks. Previously, the company had used a version of Worcestershire sauce without anchovies. However, they unknowingly switched to a formulation that included anchovies, and this change wasn’t reflected in the product’s ingredient list.

Table of Recalled Products:

Brand	Product Type	Size	UPC / Lot Code	Best By Date	Issue
Springville Meat Co.	Beef Jerky	Various	EST. 20528	5/30/2025	Undeclared anchovies
Springville Meat Co.	Elk / Venison Jerky	Various	EST. 20528	5/30/2025	Undeclared anchovies
Springville Meat Co.	Buffalo Snack Sticks	Various	EST. 20528	5/30/2025	Undeclared anchovies

What Caused the Issue?

At the core of this recall is a simple—but dangerous—supply chain misstep. Springville Meat used Worcestershire sauce in their jerky recipes. While Worcestershire often contains anchovies, the company had been using an anchovy-free version. A formulation switch—likely unnoticed at the time—reintroduced anchovies into the recipe without updating the product label.

Why is this serious? Fish is one of the nine major food allergens regulated under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). Failing to declare it puts millions of fish-allergic consumers at risk, especially when it’s hidden in a processed ingredient like Worcestershire sauce.

Who’s at risk?

• People with a fish allergy (even in small amounts)
• Children and elderly with weakened immune systems
• Immunocompromised individuals

Potential Symptoms:

• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• Hives, rash, or skin swelling
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Breathing difficulties or wheezing
• Anaphylaxis in severe cases (a medical emergency)

10 Common Questions You Might have

1. Q: I have a fish allergy. Should I be concerned?
   A: Yes. If you consumed this product and have a fish allergy, seek medical advice immediately—even if symptoms are not yet present.
   
2. Q: Are there any confirmed illnesses from this recall?
   A: No illnesses have been reported as of June 4, 2025.
   
3. Q: How do I know if my product is part of the recall?
   A: Check the label for EST. 20528 and a Best By date up to May 30, 2025.
   
4. Q: What should I do with recalled jerky?
   A: Do not eat it. Dispose of it or return it to the store where it was purchased.
   
5. Q: I already ate the jerky and feel fine. Should I worry?
   A: If you have no known allergies, you are likely fine. But if symptoms arise, contact a healthcare provider.
   
6. Q: Can I still eat the jerky if I’m not allergic to fish?
   A: Technically yes, but consuming recalled products is not recommended.
   
7. Q: Was this sold nationwide?
   A: Yes, products were distributed across various retail locations nationwide.
   
8. Q: How did the company find out about the allergen?
   A: FSIS inspectors discovered the issue during routine checks.
   
9. Q: Is Springville Meat offering refunds?
   A: You’ll need to check with the retailer. Most stores offer refunds for recalled products.
   
10. Q: Who do I contact for more info?
    A: Email Ryan Cope at [email protected] or call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854.
    

Here’s What You Should Do

How to Identify Recalled Product:

• Look for EST. 20528 inside the USDA inspection mark
• Check for “Best By” dates through May 30, 2025
• Review any jerky purchased from Springville Meat or affiliated retailers

What To Do:

• Do not consume the product
• Dispose of it safely or return to the retailer
• Contact the company for questions or concerns

Behind the Brand

Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co., Inc., known for its heat-treated, shelf-stable jerky, operates from Springville, Utah. While this is the company’s first recall in 2025, it highlights a larger pattern of undeclared allergen recalls plaguing the industry.

Other recent examples include:

• On June 3, 2025, Camerican International, Inc. voluntarily recalled its Casa Mamita Churro Bites Filled with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream after discovering they may contain undeclared milk.
• On May 31, 2025, the FSIS issued a public health alert (not a recall) for frozen not-ready-to-eat ham croquettes produced by Croquetas La Mary LLC due to misbranding and undeclared soy and sesame allergens
• On May 22, 2025, the FSIS issued a public health alert for certain ready-to-eat chicken soup products under the Signature SELECT brand because of misbranding and undeclared allergen (wheat).
• On May 24, 2025, Santa Monica Seafood issued a voluntary recall after discovering that its Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing, sold under the Aldi brand, failed to declare soy on the packaging
• On May 21, 2025, Spanish Fork, Utah-based New Grains Gluten Free Bakery issued a recall after discovering a labeling error that left out the presence of major allergens in some of its baked goods.

“Label accuracy isn’t just about following rules—it’s essential for protecting people with food allergies. Missing allergens like fish can seriously endanger consumers and shake confidence in both the brand and the entire supply chain.” said Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.

Ensuring Safe Eats

Mislabeling ingredients—especially allergens—can have life-threatening consequences. For manufacturers, this recall is a wake-up call to review their label verification systems, especially when changing suppliers or formulations.

How It Impacts the Industry:

• Compliance pressure is increasing for private label and co-manufacturing operations
• Ingredient traceability systems are no longer optional
• Consumer trust hinges on accurate labeling and allergen transparency

Reminder: If you have any Springville jerky in your pantry, check the label now. When in doubt, toss it out.

Looking for reliable, allergen-safe ingredients for your next product launch? Talk to our team today to source quality ingredients with confidence. Let’s connect!