These Beef and Pork Products Weren't Inspected—Now the USDA Is Warning Shoppers

Check your fridge and freezer.

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  • The USDA issued a public health alert for Blackwing Meats raw beef and pork products made without required inspection and potentially bearing false or missing USDA inspection marks.
  • A wide range of products produced from April 2024 through March 2026 were distributed nationwide to retailers and food service locations, raising potential safety concerns.
  • Consumers are advised not to eat these products and should instead discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various raw beef and pork products from Blackwing Meats that were produced without the required inspection and may have a false or missing mark of inspection, raising potential health risks.

The following products, which were produced from April 2024 through March 2026, are included in the public health alert:

  • 5-pound box of 8-ounce packages containing a vacuum-packed piece of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC BEEF NEW YORK STRIP STEAK" with "EST. 1996" inside the USDA mark of inspection
  • 10-pound box of 16-ounce packages containing a vacuum-packed package of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC GROUND BEEF"
  • 5-pound box of 8-ounce packages containing a vacuum-packed package of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS GRASS FED ORGANIC BEEF STEW MEAT" with "EST. 1996" inside the USDA mark of inspection
  • 5-pound box of 8-ounce packages containing a vacuum-packed piece of "BLACKWING ORGANIC MEATS ORGANIC BEEF STEAK STRIPS" with "EST. 1996" inside the USDA mark of inspection
  • 1-pound vacuum-packed package of "BLACKWING MEATS BLACKWING BEEF GROUND FROM ORGANIC BEEF" without USDA mark of inspection
  • 12-ounce vacuum-packed package of "BLACKWING MEATS PORK GROUND MADE FROM ORGANIC PORK" without USDA mark of inspection
  • 12-ounce vacuum-packed package of "BLACKWING MEATS Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops 2-6oz Made from Organic Pork" without the USDA mark of inspection

Some of the products include the unauthorized use of the establishment number "EST. 1996" inside a false USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to wholesale and retail locations nationwide. Blackwing is an Illinois-based organic and all-natural meat distributor. Its products are in stores and food service operations across the U.S.

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Food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants that put consumers' health and safety at risk, according to the FSIS.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or injury related to the products. The FSIS is concerned that some products may be in retailer or consumer freezers.

If you purchased any of these products, do not consume them. They should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. For questions, contact Roger Gerber, president of Blackwing Meats, at 847-838-4888 or email him at