Federal food safety officials have issued a public health alert for several beef and pork products distributed nationwide that were produced without federal inspection and may carry a false inspection label.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said the affected products, sold under the Blackwing Organic Meats and Blackwing Meats brands, were produced between April 2024 and March 2026.
Officials warned that food produced without proper inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria or other contaminants that could pose a risk to consumers.
Products subject to the alert include:
- 5-pound boxes of 8-ounce vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC BEEF NEW YORK STRIP STEAK,” with “EST. 1996” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 10-pound boxes of 16-ounce vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC GROUND BEEF.”
- 5-pound boxes of 8-ounce vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS GRASS FED ORGANIC BEEF STEW MEAT,” with “EST. 1996” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 5-pound boxes of 8-ounce vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC BEEF STEAK STRIPS,” with “EST. 1996” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
- 1-pound vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING MEATS BLACKWING BEEF GROUND FROM ORGANIC BEEF,” without a USDA mark of inspection.
- 12-ounce vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING MEATS PORK GROUND MADE FROM ORGANIC PORK,” without a USDA mark of inspection.
- 12-ounce vacuum-packed packages labeled “BLACKWING MEATS Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops 2-6oz Made from Organic Pork,” without a USDA mark of inspection.
Officials said the first four products include unauthorized use of establishment number “EST. 1996” inside a false USDA mark of inspection.
The products were shipped to wholesale and retail locations across the country. The issue was identified during an ongoing FSIS investigation.
There have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury linked to the products. Consumers who have purchased them are urged not to consume them and should instead discard the items or return them to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions can contact Blackwing Meats President Roger Gerber at 847-838-4888 or by email at roger@blackwing.com. Additional food safety questions can be directed to the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or through the agency’s online complaint system.
