Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy was a popular canned meat product for decades featuring tender beef in rich gravy. However it faced a major recall in 1991 that took it off shelves. Over 30 years later, many fans of this nostalgic food wonder – is Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy still made today? Let’s explore the history of this iconic canned meat and whether you can still get your hands on it.
Origins of Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy
Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy comes from a Bedford, Virginia-based company called Bunker Hill Foods. In addition to making other canned meats, they were best known for their beef and gravy in 15-ounce cans.
Some key facts about the original Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy:
- Released – Sometime in the 1970s or earlier
- Ingredients – Beef, gravy, salt, preservatives
- Serving Suggestion – Warmed over toast, rice, or mashed potatoes
- Peak Popularity – Through the 1970s and 80s
- Nostalgic Fans – Those who grew up eating it for quick meals
For households of the time, it provided an easy canned protein to keep in the pantry for meals or emergencies. The tender beef and rich gravy was a satisfying comfort food.
The Major Recall of 1991
In 1991, Bunker Hill Foods issued a voluntary recall of 30,000 cans of their Beef and Gravy product.
Details on the recall:
- Announced on June 25, 1991
- FDA classified as a Class II recall, meaning use could cause temporary health problems
- Impacted cans had defective processing that could allow botulism growth
- Cans with codes “EST 859, B1A03” were recalled
- Distributed in southeastern states including Florida
- No confirmed illnesses reported
This major recall effectively ended production of the iconic Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy The company itself seems to have folded soon after,
Is Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy Still Made Today?
Despite its beloved status among fans of vintage convenience foods, original Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy is no longer made today. After the collapse of Bunker Hill Foods in 1991, the product disappeared from shelves.
Some key reasons it never returned:
- Company that made it went out of business
- Health concerns likely diminished consumer confidence
- Trend away from canned meats towards fresher options
- Lack of modern demand to justify restarting production
Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy is still a food that makes people miss the good old days. Canned meat products have evolved away from simple formulations like beef and gravy. Some canned meats are still made, but none of them taste or feel quite like the original Bunker Hill meat.
Where to Find Similar Canned Beef and Gravy Products
While not exactly the same, there are some canned beef and gravy products on the market today that may appeal to Bunker Hill fans. Options to consider:
- Armour Star Ready Meals – Includes beef and gravy variety
- Hormel Compleats – Beef cuts with gravy sauce
- Dinty Moore Beef Stew – Chunky beef in gravy broth
- Store or generic brands – Some still offer basic beef and gravy
There are also recipes available online to make homemade beef and gravy in the style of Bunker Hill. But for those hoping the original would return, it sadly remains a nostalgic relic of the past.
Vintage Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy Today
Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy may be gone, but it holds a special place among fans of canned convenience foods of the 1900s. The few remaining vintage cans are now collectors’ items traded and sold online.
Here’s what to know about vintage Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy cans today:
- Rare – Hard to find intact, unused cans from the recall era
- Expired – Any remaining cans well past safe consumption date
- Collectible – Sold as novelty memorabilia, not for eating
- eBay Sales – Vintage cans listed for $20 or more
- Nostalgia – Iconic can design sparks fond food memories
For those who grew up on this canned staple, Bunker Hill Beef and Gravy represents the flavors of simpler times. Though it no longer graces pantry shelves, its legacy lives on among vintage food enthusiasts.
The Bottom Line
Bunker Hill’s Beef and Gravy once fed countless American families and satisfied comforting food cravings. But after being pulled from shelves in the 1990s, this canned meat relic remains a memory. Fans today can find some similar options, but the original Beef and Gravy remains a classic comfort food of the past.
