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The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for three Betterballen frozen, not-ready-to-eat products with undeclared sesame; the beef product also contains undeclared anchovy. No adverse reactions have been confirmed, and consumers are urged to discard the products or return them to the place of purchase.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for three frozen Betterballen meat and poultry products because their labels omit sesame, a major allergen; the beef product also contains undeclared anchovy, a fish allergen. FSIS advises people who bought the products not to eat them and to throw them away or return them.
The alert covers Bami Rolls, Saté Kroketten and Bitterballen, all sold frozen and labeled not ready to eat. The packages are clear and vacuum-packed. The listed products carry a best-by date of October 2027: six-piece Bami Rolls with lot codes BR-2026-01 or BR-2026-02; 10-piece Saté Kroketten with lot code SK-1026-01; and 12-piece Bitterballen with lot code BB-1026-01.
The products were produced on October 15, October 16 and October 27. Their labels show establishment number EST. M3177 or EST. P3177 inside the USDA mark of inspection. According to the Food Safety News report, the products were sold online nationwide by Lowlands House and may also have been sold at a festival and farmers market in Greer, South Carolina.
FSIS said a routine label review found the problem. The agency did not request a recall because the products were no longer available for purchase, according to the report. FSIS said it was concerned that some packages could remain in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. It reported no confirmed adverse reactions linked to consumption of the products.
Allergen Risk in Home Freezers
Undeclared allergens can pose a serious risk to people with food allergies, including anyone who may not recognize an ingredient by the product name or packaging. Sesame is present in all three listed products, while the beef product also contains anchovy in Worcestershire sauce. People with sesame or fish allergies should treat the specific products in the alert as unsafe to eat.
The alert matters even though sales have ended: FSIS says packages may still be stored at home. Checking the product name, lot code and establishment number can help consumers determine whether a package is covered. Anyone who has eaten an affected product and is concerned about a possible reaction should contact a health care provider, as the agency advises.
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Products and Sales Covered by the Alert
The notice concerns specific Betterballen lots rather than every product sold under the brand. FSIS described the items as frozen, not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. The product descriptions and lot codes in the alert are the key identifiers for consumers; the best-by date alone may not distinguish the affected packages from other goods.
The report says Lowlands House sold the items through internet sales nationwide. They may also have been offered at a festival and farmers market in Greer, South Carolina. FSIS identified a label review as the way the undeclared ingredients were discovered, rather than reporting an illness investigation or confirmed consumer reaction.
FSIS issued a public health alert rather than requesting a recall because the products were no longer available for purchase. That decision does not mean packages already bought are safe for people with allergies: the agency specifically urged consumers not to consume them and to discard or return them.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.”
— USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, as reported by Food Safety News
Remaining Questions About Distribution
The alert does not give the number of packages produced or sold, or identify how many may still be in consumers’ homes. The report says the products may have been sold at a festival and farmers market in Greer, but does not name those events or provide dates. It is also not clear from the report how many consumers have checked or returned the products.
FSIS reported no confirmed adverse reactions at the time of the notice. That statement is limited to confirmed reports; the available information does not establish whether every possible reaction has been reported or assessed. The alert identifies undeclared ingredients on the labels but does not provide further details about how the labeling error occurred.
Check Packages and Follow FSIS Updates
Consumers should compare Betterballen packages with the alert’s product descriptions, lot codes and establishment numbers. If a package matches, FSIS says do not eat it; throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. People who have already eaten one of the products and are concerned about symptoms should contact a health care provider.
The report does not set out a further investigation timetable or identify a planned follow-up announcement. Consumers and retailers can monitor FSIS communications for any additional information about affected distribution or the alert. Until further information is issued, the agency’s guidance applies to the specific products and lots listed in the notice.
Key Questions
Which Betterballen products are included in the alert?
The alert lists six-piece Bami Rolls with lot codes BR-2026-01 or BR-2026-02, 10-piece Saté Kroketten with lot code SK-1026-01, and 12-piece Bitterballen with lot code BB-1026-01. The listed products have a best-by date of October 2027.
Which allergens are not declared on the labels?
Sesame is undeclared in all three products. The beef product also contains anchovy, a fish allergen, in Worcestershire sauce.
What should I do if I have one of these products?
Do not eat it. FSIS advises consumers to throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
Have any illnesses or allergic reactions been confirmed?
FSIS reported no confirmed adverse reactions linked to consumption of the products at the time of the alert. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a health care provider.
Why was there an alert instead of a recall?
According to the report, a recall was not requested because the products were no longer available for purchase. FSIS still warned consumers because some packages could remain in home refrigerators or freezers.
Source: foodsafetynews.com
