Whittington’s Beef Jerky Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. recalled 2-oz. and 4-oz. packages of Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky in November 2011, after a routine test. FSIS classified the action as a Class I recall, its most serious risk category. FSIS announced the recall on November 7, 2011, after routine testing found the jerky may carry Salmonella. The contamination involved an antibiotic-resistant strain called Salmonella Heidelberg. About 126 pounds had already shipped to West Texas convenience stores. Anyone holding the recalled jerky should stop eating it and throw it away or return it for a refund. The FSIS case is now Closed, with the recall running from November 2011 through June 2012.

Latest Whittington’s Beef Jerky Recall Updates

June 3, 2012: FSIS Marks the Recall Closed

FSIS‘s public recall record for Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky, Recall 089-2011, now lists the case status as Closed. The record covers the period from November 7, 2011 to June 3, 2012 [1]. That is roughly seven months after FSIS first announced the action. The Closed status means FSIS considers the matter fully resolved. No illnesses were ever reported, and no further agency updates have been posted since.

November 7, 2011: FSIS Announces the Recall

FSIS announced on November 7, 2011 that Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. was voluntarily recalling about 126 pounds of the affected jerky. The jerky was made in Johnson City, Texas. The agency’s own routine testing program had found possible Salmonella Heidelberg contamination. FSIS said the jerky had already shipped before test results were confirmed. FSIS’s public recalls list also shows Quantity Recovered at 41 of the roughly 126 pounds originally recalled [2].

Which Whittington’s Beef Jerky Are Affected?

Check the package details below, including the establishment number and production date. Confirm whether your jerky falls under Recall 089-2011:

• 2-oz. and 4-oz. packages of “Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky”
• Each package bears the establishment number “EST. 21257” inside the USDA mark of inspection
• The recalled product was produced on October 31, 2011
• Distributed to convenience stores in West Texas and sold at the company’s own retail operation

No other Whittington’s products were part of this action, and FSIS’s notice does not list any other affected package sizes. FSIS’s notice also does not state a sale period or price for the recalled jerky.

Why Was Whittington’s Beef Jerky Recalled?

Whittington’s Beef Jerky was recalled because FSIS routine testing found the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The contamination involved a specific antibiotic-resistant strain called Salmonella Heidelberg. FSIS gave the recall its most serious classification, Class I. FSIS determined that Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. had already shipped the affected packages before the agency’s test results were confirmed. That timing meant the product reached stores before the contamination was known. The outbreak strain’s resistance to several commonly prescribed antibiotics can make an infection harder to treat than an ordinary case of salmonellosis. FSIS found the contamination through its own routine testing program, before any illness was ever reported.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

FSIS and Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. received no reports of illness connected to the recalled beef jerky as of the announcement date. The recall was based on a positive lab test rather than any consumer complaint or illness report. FSIS also says it routinely runs recall effectiveness checks after an action like this one, in order to confirm that a recalling firm notified customers and removed the product from sale. Anyone who ate the recalled jerky and later developed diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramps should tell a healthcare provider about the exposure. Salmonellosis symptoms can vary in length and severity for different people.

What Should Consumers Do?

Anyone who currently has Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky at home should take the following steps:

1. Do not eat any Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky marked “EST. 21257” with a production date of October 31, 2011.
2. Check both the 2-oz. and 4-oz. package sizes of “Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky” for these identifiers.
3. Throw the product away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
4. Call the company’s owner, Susan Whittington, at (830) 868-5500 with any questions about the recall.
5. Contact the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) for general food-safety questions. You can also visit AskKaren.gov.
6. Watch for diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramps within a few days of eating the product. Call a doctor if symptoms appear.
7. CDC’s general guidance says Salmonella symptoms can begin anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after exposure [3].

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Salmonella Food Poisoning?

The symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning typically include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 6 to 72 hours. Additional symptoms may include chills, headache, nausea, or vomiting lasting up to a week. Because the strain resists common antibiotics, FSIS says it may raise the risk of hospitalization or treatment failure.

What Does FSIS’s Class I Recall Classification Mean?

FSIS’s Class I recall classification means a health hazard situation. There is a reasonable probability that using the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. The agency assigned Whittington’s Beef Jerky this most serious rating because of the possible Salmonella contamination.

Is There a Lawsuit Related to the Whittington’s Beef Jerky Recall?

No lawsuit, class action, or multidistrict litigation has been filed over the Whittington’s Beef Jerky recall. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation lists no matter for this product. No federal court case was found in a search of public records.

Where Can I Verify the Official Status of the Whittington’s Beef Jerky Recall?

You can verify the official status of the Whittington’s Beef Jerky recall on FSIS’s Recalls and Public Health Alerts page. That page still lists Recall 089-2011 with a Closed case status. Whittington’s Jerky, Inc.’s owner can also confirm the details by phone.

Has Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. Had Any Other Recalls?

No, Whittington’s Jerky, Inc. has not had any other recalls. Neither FSIS nor Health Canada has listed any recall of the company other than this single 2011 action. No repeat, expanded, or foreign recall has followed for the company since.

When Is the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline Available for Questions?

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), takes calls about Whittington’s Original Beef Jerky and other recalls from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Callers can also reach FSIS online at AskKaren.gov outside those hours.

References

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20230127122531/https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/texas-firm-recalls-beef-jerky-products-due-possible-salmonella-contamination
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20230719025213/https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls?f%5B0%5D=company%3A77
3. https://web.archive.org/web/20241118124714/https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/meats-01-24/index.html