Families managing a sesame or fish allergy should check their freezers for three Dutch-style frozen snacks sold online nationwide under the Betterballen brand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Nov. 6 that the products contain sesame that is not declared on the labels, and that the beef product also contains anchovy, a fish, through its Worcestershire sauce.
The FSIS public health alert covers frozen, not ready-to-eat Bami Rolls, Saté Kroketten, and Bitterballen sold through Lowlands House for internet sales nationwide. Some may also have been sold at a festival and a farmers market in Greer, South Carolina, where the company, Betterballen Foods LLC, is based.
The concern is the freezer — not the store shelf. FSIS did not request a recall because the products are no longer for sale, but the agency warned that some packages may still be in home refrigerators and freezers. With an October 2027 best-by date, a bag ordered for a holiday party could sit untouched for months.
Alert, Not a Recall
A public health alert is a separate tool from a recall. The FSIS uses it when a product poses a possible risk but can no longer be bought, meaning there is nothing for the company to pull from stores. Because this is not a recall, no recall class applies. The consumer instruction is the same, though: do not eat the products.
The FSIS discovered the issue during a routine label review. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions. “Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a health care provider,” the agency stated.
The frozen products were produced on Oct. 15, Oct. 16, and Oct. 27. The agency lists them as follows:
- Clear vacuum-packed packages of 6-piece “Bami Rolls” with “BEST BY” October 2027 and lot codes BR-2026-01 and BR-2026-02.
- Clear vacuum-packed packages of 10-piece “Saté Kroketten” with “BEST BY” October 2027 and lot code SK-1026-01.
- Clear vacuum-packed packages of 12-piece “Bitterballen” with “BEST BY” October 2027 and lot code BB-1026-01.
The products bear establishment number “EST. M3177” or “EST. P3177” inside the USDA mark of inspection. That round or shield-shaped USDA mark is printed on the package label; the “M” number is used for meat and the “P” number for poultry. The FSIS has posted label images with the alert.
Two Allergens, Two Different Risks
Sesame and fish are both among the nine major food allergens that U.S. law requires on labels. Sesame was the most recent addition, with labeling required since Jan. 1, 2023, under the FASTER Act, according to the FDA’s food allergy guide.
The two allergens affect different people. A child or adult with a sesame allergy could react to any of the three products, since the FSIS said sesame is in all of them. Anchovy affects people with a fish allergy, and the FSIS tied that ingredient only to the beef product’s Worcestershire sauce. The agency did not specify on the alert page which of the three items is the beef product, so a fish-allergic household should treat all three as off-limits.
This is a critical distinction because many shoppers do not expect either ingredient in a fried meat croquette, a point underscored in Food Safety News’ report on the alert. Bitterballen and kroketten are typically a creamy meat filling coated in breadcrumbs, while bami rolls carry a noodle filling. Worcestershire sauce is a common hidden source of anchovy in savory foods.
Signs of a Reaction and When to Get Help
The FDA lists hives, flushed skin or rash, tingling or itching in the mouth, and swelling of the face, tongue, or lips among the signs of a food allergic reaction. Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, coughing, wheezing, and dizziness can also occur.
The most serious form is anaphylaxis, which the FDA describes as “a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.” It can narrow the airways, drop blood pressure sharply, and cause throat swelling. Anyone experiencing trouble breathing, throat tightness, or fainting needs emergency care right away — people who have been prescribed epinephrine should use it as directed and call 911.
Milder symptoms after eating one of these products still warrant a call to a health care provider, as the FSIS advised. This is general information, not medical advice.
Freezer Check, Refunds and Next Steps
Start with the freezer, including any chest freezer in the garage or basement, since frozen party snacks bought in October are easy to forget. Compare the product name, lot code, best-by date, and establishment number with the list above. If one matches, do not cook or taste it.
The FSIS says the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Because most were sold online, buyers can start with their order confirmation from Lowlands House. Questions about the alert can go to Brian Kops, owner of Betterballen Foods LLC, at 312-340-4823 or info@betterballenfoods.com, according to the FSIS. Consumers with general food safety questions can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854).
Allergy families should also consider the lunchbox and the party tray. If someone in the house already served these snacks to guests, letting those guests know about the sesame and anchovy is a reasonable step, especially for anyone with a known allergy. Wiping down trays and serving utensils that held the product helps limit cross-contact.
Buyers who did not purchase from Lowlands House or the Greer events, and who do not see these specific lot codes, are not affected by this alert. Other bitterballen brands are not part of it.
As of Nov. 9, the FSIS alert listed no confirmed reactions and no change in status. Food World News will report any change, including any confirmed adverse reactions.
The bottom line: three Betterballen frozen snacks with October 2027 best-by dates contain undeclared sesame, and the beef item also contains anchovy. Households with sesame or fish allergies should check freezers now and throw out or return any match.
