THE US Department of Agriculture just recalled a popular snack after it was discovered it contains a potentially life-threatening ingredient.

The USDA announced that the snack misbranded itself and contains a hidden ingredient that the company previously claimed it didn’t use.

Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co., Inc., is recalling over 15,000 pounds of its beloved beef jerky.

The heat-treated shelf-stable ready-to-eat beef sticks contained a hidden fish ingredient that isn’t mentioned on the label.

FSIS inspectors discovered that the Worcestershire sauce used in the jerky contains anchovies.

Not labeling the fish product could cause those with an anchovy allergy to go into anaphylaxis shock, which may lead to death.

So far, there has been no reported adverse reactions to the product.

Anyone who has eaten the product and is concerned about the allergen should contact a healthcare provider.

If you have bought beef sticks from the Springville Meat & Storage Co., it’s essential to check whether your product features “EST. 20528” within the USDA mark of inspection.

If it has the mark, then the USDA urges customers to throw it away or return it.

Those who have purchased the product are encouraged not to consume it.

While no particular retailer has been named as selling the recalled item, the beef jerky is available for purchase directly from the company’s website based in Utah.

Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co., Inc. did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.

The announcement comes just weeks after the USDA recalled a primary ingredient: tomatoes.

The recall was first announced in early May, but has since been upgraded to a Class one recall, which is the FDA’s highest recall designation.

The new categorization means that there is “a reasonable probability” that the tomatoes will cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.”