By: Heather Williams

Each week, UnsafeFoods gathers information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other sources to provide you with recall information that might impact you and your family.  Take a look in your kitchen for the following undeclared allergen recall and health alert recall products.

Undeclared Allergen

Undeclared allergens are a huge issue.  Those with allergies or severe sensitivities to particular known allergens use packaging and manufacturer information to make informed decisions on food choices.  When information is missing, serious consequences are possible.  The following companies have issued a recall due to ingredients present in the product that were not listed on the packaging.

GKI Foods LLC: Dark Chocolate Products

GKI Foods LLC of Brighton, Michigan issued a recall on October 27, 2017 for select dark chocolate products due to the presence of the undeclared allergen, milk.  People with allergies or severe sensitivities to milk risk serious reactions if the product is consumed.

The dark chocolate products were distributed through distributors and retails stores to several states.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the packaging did not indicate the presence of the milk allergen.

The products can be identified as being packaged in plastic hanging and stand-up bags, plastic tubs, and cardboard boxes and includes the following products:

At this time no illness has been reported.

21^st Century Snack Foods: Dark Chocolate Almonds

21^st Century Snack Foods of Ronkonkomam New York issued a recall on October 31, 2017 for Dark Chocolate Almonds due to undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with an allergy or a severe sensitivity to milk risk serious reaction if the product is consumed.

The recalled product is packaged in a 6-ounce peg or stand up bag with UPC# 030603 228549 and includes lot numbers 16100 through 17300.  The product may have been distributed to the following states:  AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY

At this time no illness has been reported.

Shoreline Fruit, LLC: Bulk and Retail Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry Products

Shoreline Fruit, LLC of Traverse City, Michigan issued a recall for their dark chocolate covered cherry products on October 31, 2017 due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  This recall in cooperation with GKI Foods, LLC who also announced a recall on October 27, 2017.  Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may risk serious allergic reaction if the product is consumed.

Shoreline Fruit bulk and Cherry Bay Orchards® branded dark chocolate covered cherry products are included in this recall.

Products included in the recall include:

No illness has been reported to date.  Consumers should contact their physician with any questions or concerns about their health.

Rucker’s Wholesale and Service Co: Dark Chocolate Peanuts

Rucker’s Wholesale and Service Co of Bridgeport, Illinois has issued a recall for all of Uncle Buck’s and Family Choice Dark Chocolate Peanuts packaged in a standup twist tie bad due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity may have a serious or life-threatening reaction if the product is consumed.

The recall was initiated when notified of the supplier GKI Foods of their recall issued due to undeclared milk allergens.

The affected product can be identified as an 8.5 ounce clear twist tie back with Uncle Buck’s and Family Choice label.  The UPC for both brands is 0 52545 10226 8 and was sold between March 7, 2016 and October 30, 2017 distributed nationwide to Bass Pro Shops, Bomgaars Supply, L&M Fleet Supply, North 40 Outfitters, and Runnings.

No illness has been reported at this time.

Rucker’s Makin’ Batch Candies, Inc: Dark Chocolate Coffee Beans, Dark Chocolate Cranberries, and Dark Chocolate Peanuts

 Rucker’s Makin’ Batch Candies, Inc. of Bridgeport Illinois issued a recall on October 31, 2017 for Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Dark Chocolate Coffee Beans due to the undeclared allergen, milk.  Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may experience serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.

The recall was initiated after notification by the supplier that products had been distributed in packaging that did not indicated the allergen.

The product can be identified as being packaged in an 8-ounce, clear bag within a gold Toothsome Chocolate Emporium box with UPC codes 400013041067, 400013041098, and 400013041098 and affects packages with best by codes ranging from 05/11/17 through 10/09/18.  This product was distributed to Universal Studios Park at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium in Orlando, Florida.

No illness has been reported at this time.  The company urges customers to not consume the product.

Health Alert

 Health alert recalls are issued when a health hazard, such as contamination with an infectious bacteria, occurs in a product and it is not safe for human consumption. This week Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli make the list.

Triple B Corporation: Salad Kits and Stir Fry Mixes

 Triple B Corporation updated a recent recall of salad kits and stir fry mixes to include distribution to the two additional states, Idaho and Montana on October 25, 2017 due to the health hazard, Listeria monocytogenes.  Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in the very young, the very old, and those with a weakened immune system.  Pregnant women are at risk for miscarriage and stillbirths.

The recall was issued because the broccoli used in these items were a part of a recall from the vendor Mann Packing of Salinas, California.  The salad kits and stir fry mixes were distributed to retail store delis, hospitals, schools, and hotels in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.  The following products with use by codes:

No illness has been reported at this time.

Triple B Corporation (Anchorage, Alaska): [Updated] Salad Kits and Stir Fry Mixes

 Triple B Corporation is asking consumers to disregard information from the October 21, 2017 press release due to wrong labels and codes included in the recall information.  Triple B Corporation of Anchorage, Alaska issued a voluntary recall October 27, 2017 for broccoli florets, stir fry kits, veggie trays with cauliflower, and veggie pack combo due to the health hazard, Listeria monocytogenes.  Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in the very young, the very old, and those with a weakened immune system.  Pregnant women are at risk for miscarriage and stillbirths.

The recall was initiated after notification of a recall of a supply vendor, Mann Packing of Salinas, California.  The recalled products were distributed to retail store meat departments, gas stations, hospitals and restaurants.  The following product codes are affected:

No illness has been reported at this time.

Haig’s Delicacies, LLC: Taboule Salad

 Haig’s Delicacies of Hayward, California issued a recall on October 30, 2017 of 342 cases of Taboule Salad due to the health hazard, E. coli O157:H7.  E. coli O157:H7 causes diarrheal illness often associated with bloody stools.  Serious cases, particularly in the very young and the very old may result in a life-threatening form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

The affected product was distributed to retail stores in California and can be identified as packaged in a 10-ounce plastic tube with UPC 7-08756-77055-9, 3-unit multi packs with UPC 7-08756-37055-1, and a 6 pound bulk foodservice bag with UPC 7-08756-77077-1.  The affected lots have a lot code of 17298 and an expiration date of 11/16/17.

The recall was initiated after routine testing detected the presence of E. coli O157:H7.  No illness has been reported at this time.

Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm581577.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm581569.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm582645.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm583041.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm583045.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm583254.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm583172.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm583177.htm