WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a nationwide public health alert for three frozen meat and poultry products after a label review found undeclared allergens. The Food Safety and Inspection Service said the items may contain sesame, and one beef product also contains Worcestershire sauce with anchovy, a fish allergen, that is not listed on the label.
The alert applies to frozen, not-ready-to-eat products produced by Betterballen Foods LLC on Oct. 15, Oct. 16 and Oct. 27, 2026. USDA said the items are no longer being sold, so they were not officially recalled, and no illnesses have been reported so far.
Which Betterballen Foods items are covered by the USDA alert
Consumers are being told to check for clear vacuum-packed packages of 6-piece Bami Rolls marked “BEST BY” October 2027 with lot codes BR-2026-01 and BR-2026-02. The alert also covers 10-piece Saté Kroketten packages with “BEST BY” October 2027 and lot code SK-1026-01.
The third product is clear vacuum-packed packages of 12-piece Bitterballen with “BEST BY” October 2027 and lot code BB-1026-01. USDA directed shoppers to the agency’s announcement for additional product details and to compare the labels carefully if any of these items are in the freezer.
Why the federal agency issued the public health alert
According to USDA, the problem was discovered during a routine label review that turned up misbranding and undeclared allergens. The agency said sesame was present in the products but not declared on the packaging, creating a risk for people with sesame allergies or sensitivities.
For the beef product, USDA said the Worcestershire sauce contains anchovy, which is a fish allergen, but that ingredient was also not disclosed on the label. That means people with fish allergies could be exposed to an ingredient they would normally try to avoid.
What consumers should do if they bought the frozen products
USDA said the safest step is not to eat the products and to throw them away, especially for anyone with a sesame or fish allergy. Because the items were sold as frozen, not-ready-to-eat foods, consumers should check packages closely before preparing them for dinner or storing them for later use.
If someone has already eaten one of the products and has health concerns, USDA said to contact a doctor right away. The agency also said consumers with questions can reach Betterballen Foods LLC at 312-340-4823 or by email at [email protected].
No illnesses have been reported as the alert continues
The USDA said it has not received reports of any illnesses linked to the products. Even so, the agency issued the alert because undeclared allergens can pose serious risks for people who rely on labels to avoid ingredients that could trigger a reaction.
Public health alerts are different from full recalls, and in this case USDA said the products are no longer being sold. That still leaves a chance that some packages may remain in home freezers, which is why the agency is urging consumers to inspect their supplies now.
How undeclared allergens can create a hidden risk at home
Frozen convenience foods are often chosen because they are easy to heat and serve quickly, but that convenience can make label checks easy to overlook. USDA’s warning is a reminder that packaged foods can still carry hidden risks if allergen information is incomplete or missing.
For people with food allergies, even small labeling mistakes can matter. The alert focuses on sesame and anchovy specifically, and anyone who keeps the affected products should avoid serving them until they are discarded or otherwise removed from circulation.
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