Health alert issued for beef jerky sticks due to plastic contamination

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat beef jerky stick products that may be contaminated with plastic.

The affected products from Top Notch Jerky LLC are no longer available for purchase, so a recall was not requested. However, FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers' pantries.

The alert applies to "RIVERBEND RANCH Original Beef Stick" and "RIVERBEND RANCH Jalapeño Beef Stick" in 6.9-ounce bags, each containing six 1.15-ounce vacuum-sealed packages. Both products have a "Best By date of 11/27/2026" and bear "EST. 47282" on the back of the label.

These jerky sticks were produced on May 27, 2025, and have an 18-month shelf life. They were distributed nationwide, including Puerto Rico, through online sales and various locations.

The contamination was discovered after Top Notch Jerky LLC received consumer complaints about transparent plastic pieces in the beef sticks.

As of Wednesday, there have been no confirmed reports of injury or illness associated with the consumption of these products. FSIS advises anyone concerned about illness or injury to contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who may still have these products in their homes are urged not to eat them. The products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.