The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for various ready-to-eat beef jerky products from Top Notch Jerky, LLC, based in Sugar City, Idaho, due to plastic contamination. Food contaminated with foreign objects, like plastic, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death.
Background
The alert is being issued because the products are contaminated with plastic material.
The contamination with plastic was discovered after consumers complained that plastic was found in the impacted products.
A recall alert was not issued because the products are no longer available for sale.
Distribution
The impacted products were distributed online and to locations across the United States, including Puerto Rico.
Product Details
| Product | Size | Packaging | Best by Date |
| Riverbend Ranch Original Beef Stick | 6.9 oz bags with 6 x 1.15 oz sticks | Vacuum-sealed plastic | 11/27/2026 |
| Riverbend Ranch Jalapeno Beef Stick |
Consumer Action
Consumers should search their homes to see if they have the affected items.
As with all food health alerts and food recalls, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected product even if it looks or smells safe to eat or if there are no visible signs of contamination by foreign objects.
Anyone in possession of the products should not sell, serve, donate, or distribute them.
Anyone in possession of the products should contact the company for return or refunds. Otherwise, the recalled items should be disposed of immediately.
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact the company at 208-372-3271 or [email protected].
Health Risks
There have been no reports of injuries in connection with the consumption of the impacted products.
Ron Simon & Associates, one of the leading food poisoning law firms in the nation says that any consumer who has been exposed to recalled products, and is experiencing sickness or injury, should contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Food contaminated with plastic has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, gums, tongue, throat, mouth, stomach, and intestines or even death in most people. Infants, the elderly, and recent surgery patients could also be at extreme risk of serious injury.
