Undeclared Allergens Cause Four Recalls

I received email notification of several food recalls within the past week. They were a reminder that not all food recalls are the result of discovered contamination.  There are many reasons for recalls other than contamination. The recalls listed below will be of interest to you if you (or someone you serve meals to) is allergic to one of these common allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. If any of these are used in any processed food, the government requires food producers and processors to include that allergen in the ingredients list on the package label. These 8 food categories account for about 90% of allergic reactions, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Among the recent recalls was one BIGGIE--nearly 2 million pounds of food recalled. This one got some major news media attention, so let's start with that.

Cheeseburger Mac Products:

This company got hit with a double whammy--misbranding and an undeclared allergen.  The result: Truitt Brothers Inc., an East Bernstadt, Kentucky company, is recalling approximately 1.7 million pounds of shelf-stable pasta and ground beef products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. D.A.'s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Cheeseburger Mac products contain hydrolyzed soy protein and dried soy sauce, common allergens, which are not declared on some labels.

The problem was discovered during a recent routine quality check conducted by Truitt Brothers, Inc., which then contacted FSIS. The company believes the problem occurred when a label supplier inadvertently mixed labels with incorrect ingredient lines with labels containing correct ingredient information.

Check your freezer.  The products being recalled are 9-ounce single-serving Kraft Velveeta Cheesy Skillets dinners made over the past 7 months.  They have "use/sell-by dates" between March and October 2014.  For more information about this recall, go to "Kentucky Firm Recalls Cheeseburger Mac Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens." 

Rise 'N Roll Specialties Nutty Crunch:

Rise’n Roll Bakery of Middlebury, Indiana, is recalling all its donut varieties and cinnamon caramel donut holes because they may contain undeclared egg. The company is also recalling its Rise’n Roll Specialties Nutty Crunch in 8 oz. pouches because they contain undeclared peanuts. People who have allergies to eggs or peanuts run the risk of having a serious, even life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recall was initiated during an FDA inspection of the manufacturer when label review found the undeclared ingredients in the products. Subsequent investigation indicated the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.

Rise’n Roll Specialties Nutty Crunch will no longer be produced with peanuts. All future donut labels will indicate the presence of eggs.

For details about the packaging of these recalled products, the states in which the products have been sold, and other information related to this recall, go to the Rise 'n Roll press release.

Crunch 'N Nutter Mixed Nut:

Merrell Food Group of Dalton, Wisconsin, along with its manufacturing partner Rise’n Roll Specialties, is recalling “Crunch ’N Nutter Mixed Nut” candy packaged in a 4-oz. green and yellow plastic bag, because it contains undeclared peanuts. This recall affects all products with a sell-by date of June 1, 2014 or earlier.  Crunch 'N Nutter Mixed Nut was sent to distributers in Wisconsin and New Jersey.  For specific information about the recalled product, go to the Merrell Food Group allergy alert.

Cooked Pork and Beef Meat Balls:

European Meat Products Inc., of Lakewood, Colorado, is recalling approximately 130,000 pounds of fresh and ready-to-eat beef and pork products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S.D.A.'s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain wheat, a known allergen, which was not listed on the labels.

The products being recalled include fresh pork paste and vacuum-packed plastic bags of cooked beef meatballs and cooked pork meat balls.  For details about these products, sold under the brand name "Bo Vien, Huong Duyen" and other names as well, click on meat balls.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a routine food safety assessment label review. The problem occurred due to a change in ingredient formulation without a corresponding change in the finished product label.

So far, there have been no reports of illness related to these 4 recalls. 

Source(s): 

Chicago Tribune ""Kraft recalls Velveeta dinners" Business section, January 21, 2014

mayoclinic.org "Food Allergies: Understanding food labels"

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/in-depth/food-allergies/art-20045949