WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is warning consumers to check their freezers for three frozen Betterballen Foods products sold nationwide after inspectors found undeclared allergens on the labels.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service said the alert involves frozen beef, pork and chicken items that contain sesame, which is not listed on the packaging. The beef product also contains Worcestershire sauce made with anchovy, a fish allergen that is also missing from the label.
Officials said the products were identified during a routine review, and they are asking anyone who still has them not to eat them.
Products named in the USDA public health alert
The alert covers three products sold online nationwide through Lowlands House, with some also potentially sold at a festival and farmers’ market in Greer, South Carolina. Each product comes in a clear, vacuum-packed package with a best-by date of October 2027.
The affected items are Bami Rolls, a six-piece pork product with lot codes BR-2026-01 and BR-2026-02; Saté Kroketten, a ten-piece chicken product with lot code SK-1026-01; and Bitterballen, a twelve-piece beef product with lot code BB-1026-01.
Consumers can also look for establishment number EST. M3177 or EST. P3177 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the package.
How the labeling problem was discovered
FSIS said it issued the alert on Nov. 6 after finding the labeling issue during a routine review. The agency said the products were manufactured on Oct. 15, Oct. 16 and Oct. 27, 2026.
The packaging problem matters because sesame and fish are common food allergens that can trigger serious reactions in sensitive people. The USDA said the alert concerns misbranding and undeclared ingredients, not a foodborne illness outbreak.
Officials said there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions tied to the products so far.
Why USDA did not ask for a recall
The Food Safety and Inspection Service did not request a recall because it said the products are no longer available for purchase. Instead, the agency issued a public health alert so consumers who may have already bought the items can take action.
The items are frozen and not ready to eat, but the USDA still advised people to throw them away or return them to the place where they were bought. Anyone who believes they may have had an allergic reaction after eating the products should contact a healthcare provider.
The agency also published images of the product labels to help shoppers identify the affected packages more easily.
Betterballen Foods contact information for consumers
Consumers with questions can contact Betterballen Foods owner Brian Kops at 312-340-4823 or [email protected]. The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is also available at 888-674-6854, and consumers can email [email protected].
For shoppers who buy frozen specialty foods online or at local markets, the alert is a reminder to check lot codes, inspection marks and ingredient labels carefully. That is especially important for people with sesame or fish allergies, since undeclared ingredients can turn a routine purchase into a medical risk.
Because the products were sold through more than one channel, federal officials are urging consumers to inspect packages already in home freezers rather than assume the items were never purchased.
What consumers should do if they find the products
Anyone who finds one of the affected packages should not serve it or taste it, even if it has been stored in the freezer since purchase. The USDA’s advice is to discard the product or return it to the seller.
People with sesame or fish allergies should be especially cautious, since the undeclared allergens could cause a reaction even though the food is frozen. The agency said the alert is meant to prevent exposure before someone eats the product.
Consumers who are unsure whether a package matches the alert can compare the lot code, inspection number and label images released by FSIS before making a decision.
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