Those with allergies may want to check their fridge freezer for red meat, as one Costco steak brand has been found to contain a number of allergens.
The recall affects a batch delivered to Costco store locations in the south-east, and can be identified by their sell-by date.
Allergen Rules
The recalls are necessary due to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules concerning the labelling of food allergens.
According to the FDA, packages must “identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”
The Contaminants
The allergens identified as having potentially entered into the manufacturing process are soy, wheat, and sesame.
This is a potentially serious error, as anaphylaxis from allergies due to these allergens has the potential to be life-threatening.
The Product
The recall was issued by Skylark Meats, a Costco supplier, over a pre-seasoned steak product sold in the US.
The offending product is Rock River Cattle Co. Smokey Hibachi Skirt Steaks, although not all batches have been affected.
Preemptive
Skylark Meats issued a letter to announce the recall notice, and stressed that there have been no reports of issues yet.
The letter states: “There have been no reported adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products, and the potential risk is limited only to consumers with a soy, wheat, or sesame allergy or sensitivity.”
Limited Recall
Skylark Meats also wrote that the recall is limited to the Smokey Hibachi Skirt Steaks, and have apologized for the error.
“No other Rock River Cattle Co. products or flavors are affected by this issue. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused,” they continued in their statement.
Advice for Consumers
Advice was given for consumers who may have inadvertently purchased the faulty product.
If the product is returned to Costco, perhaps during your next shopping trip, they will issue a full refund for the cost.
Geographical Spread
The recalls only affect steaks bought in a limited number of states in the south-east of the US.
The affected states are Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Identification Method
If you find that you have bought these steaks from Costco recently, Skylark Meats have explained how you can identify the affected batch.
Aside from noting the store and the name of the product, the sell-by date written on the packaging of contaminated products is September 13.
Allergens Common Recall Reason
Unidentified allergens represent the most common reason for product recalls in the US, beating out bacterial contamination.
According to a regulatory compliance company, Traceone, they were responsible for nearly 40% of recalls between 2020 and 2024 in the US.
