A Beef Product Just Received a Health Alert Across One U.S. Region: FDA

For families living with food allergies, reading every label becomes second nature. But what happens when a label doesn’t tell the whole story—especially when you wouldn’t suspect a risky ingredient could be present? 

On September 10, a popular beef product received a public health alert from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after it was found to contain undeclared sesame and wheat. With national data suggesting 2.4 million Americans suffer from wheat allergies and 700,000 Americans suffer from sesame allergies, the omission highlights the surprising places these allergens can turn up. 

The notice implicated one-pound vacuum-packed packages of Bianco & Sons Sweet Heat Sirloin Beef Tips. The items were produced on September 2, 2025 and bear a “Use or freeze by” date of October 1, 2025. The quantity or amount of affected products was not listed in the health alert. 

The FSIS notes that the error occurred because the product was labeled correctly on the front label but incorrectly on the back label. The information provided on the back label was intended for a separate product, Garlic and Ginger Sirloin Beef Tips, which are made by the same company and do not contain wheat or sesame. A retailer discovered the problem and notified Bianco & Sons representatives, who then notified the FSIS.

Bianco & Sons is a third-generation, family-owned company based in Medford, Massachusetts which has specialized in high-quality Italian sausages and marinated meats since the 1960s. The affected items were shipped to Roche Bros. Supermarkets retail locations in Massachusetts, and the brand can be found in popular grocery stores across the Northeastern U.S., including Wegman’s, Hannaford, Big Y, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, and other retailers. The FSIS notes the company also ships select products nationwide. 

You can spot the affected beef tips by the product’s establishment number, “EST. 4033,” which is printed inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The symptoms of wheat and sesame allergies can be similar: Both can cause swelling, hives, itching, or even anaphylaxis. Though the FSIS reports there have been no severe reactions linked to the mislabeled products, they urge consumers not to consume them. “FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers … These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,” the notice states.

To report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the FSIS online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day.

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