What’s in Your Kitchen? 5/31/18 Week in Recalls

Posted in Food Allergens,Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on June 1, 2018

MakeFoodSafe.com would like to help you keep your family safe from unsafe foods.  Each week we bring together a list of the current recalls.  Check back each week and evaluate your fridge, pantry, and shopping list to make sure you can identify which foods to avoid.

Pious Lion Recalls Kratom Products Due to Possible Health Risk

 Pious Lion, of Asheville, North Carolina issued a voluntary recall on two Kratom products: Pious Lion Pure Premium Potent Limited Release Pink Bali and Pious Lion Pure Premium Potent White Maeng Da, Bright Uplifting Energy due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

Salmonella is a harmful bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.  While anyone can fall ill from consuming something contaminated with Salmonella, but infections may be more severe in the very young, the very old, and those with a compromised immune system.  Normally healthy individuals may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.  In more rare situations the bacteria may leave the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream causing complications such as endocarditis, arterial infections, and arthritis.

The recall was initiated after a sample conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services tested positive for Salmonella.  Additional testing from an independent laboratory did not corroborate with the same result.  Out of an abundance of caution, the company has issued the recall.  Specific UPC information is included in chart below.

The products were distributed between April 9, 2018 and May 16, 2018 to retail stores in North Carolina and Tennessee.  The product can be identified as packaged in clear plastic pouches.

Customers are urged to discourage using the products and thoroughly wash and sanitize any container used to store the product.  Consumers are also asked to wash hands, work surfaces and utensils after coming in contact with the product.

No illness has been reported in connection with this recall.

Global Commodities Inc. Recalls Dried Fruit Due to Undeclared Allergen

Global Commodities Inc of Hicksville, New York issued a recall for 1 pound and 0.5 pound packages of Watan Dry Fruits Brand Natural Dried Apricot with Pit due to undeclared sulfites.

Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites may risk serious or life threatening allergic reaction if product is consumed.

The undeclared sulfites were discovered during routine product testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Subsequent investigations indicated the error was due to a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes. Production is suspended until the problem is corrected.

The affected product was distributed from January 2015 to December 2017 and distributed to retail stores in New York.  Specific UPC information can be found in the table below.  No illness has been reported to date.

Consumers are urged to return the affected product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Divvies, LLC Recalls Benjamint Cruch Chocolate Bars Due to Undeclared Allergen

Divvies issued a voluntary recall for their Benjamint Cruch Chocolate Bars to possible undeclared milk in the peppermint used to make their bars due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may experience serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.

The problem was discovered during routine ingredient testing.  The product of interest was sold only online through the Divvies website and affects about 140 consumers.  Specific UPC information can be found in the table below.

There have been no consumer complaints to date, but the company is reaching out to each customer that received the product by phone or email to alert them of the situation.

Dough-To-Go Recalls Vegan Tuxedo Fudge Cookies Due to Undeclared Allergen

Dough-To-Go of Santa Clara, California issued a recall for 20 cases of Zoe’s Vegan Tuxedo Fudge Cookies due to the undeclared allergen, tree nuts.

Those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to walnuts may risk serious or life threatening allergic reaction.  The product in question was sold to local food service distributor and to other customers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The product can be identified as a 4oz vegan fudge chocolate cookie that is individually wrapped with the Zoe’s brand name and flavor on the label.  They are packaged 24 to a case and sold with a product label and production code on the outside packaging.  Specific product information can be found in the table below.

The recall was issued after a customer with a walnut allergy suffered an allergic reaction and reported the incident to the FDA.  At this time, it was discovered that the ingredient, walnut was not listed as an ingredient or allergen.  The investigation is ongoing, though a breakdown in the mixing procedure or incorrect labeling is suspected as a cause.

Consumers are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

H-E-B Recalls Ice Cream and Sorbet Due to Mechanical Contamination

H-E-B issued a voluntary recall for specific sizes and flavors of EcocoMax and Hill Country Fare ice creams and Creamy Creations sherbet due to broken metal found in processing equipment.  Consuming broken metal pieces may cause serious harm.

The problem was discovered during routine maintenance, where broken metal was found in processing equipment.  To date no injuries have been reported.  The affected products were distributed to stores in the states of Texas and Mexico. See chart below for specific UPC information.

All products have been removed from store shelves.  Customers who have the products at home are urged to return them for a full refund.

This Week’s Affected Products

By: Heather Van Tassell, Contributing Writer (Non-Lawyer)