Recall roundup: potential for mould and undeclared allergens

Potential for mould

Hostess Brands, LLC (Hostess Brands) is voluntarily recalling certain Hostess Raspberry Zingers snack products because they may develop mould prior to the best by date.

The products were sold to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar and discount stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States.

Consumers who have purchased the affected product are urged to discontinue consumption and contact the place of purchase about returning them for a full refund.

This recall does not affect any other Hostess Brands products.

Undeclared allergens

Peanut, almond, milk and soy

Giant Eagle, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of Giant Eagle Dried Island Fruit Mix due to the possibility the product may contain undeclared peanut, almond, milk and soy allergens. Those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity experience a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The impacted product has a “best by” date of 15 January 2021 and can be identified by the UPC 3003491435. The recalled item was sold in the produce department of the Carmel Market District in Indiana, the Edinboro Giant Eagle in Pennsylvania and select Giant Eagle and Market District locations in Ohio. To date, there are no reported illnesses associated with this recall.

Giant Eagle was made aware of the issue by a guest who purchased the product and the company has since learned that the cause was a packaging error made by the product manufacturer.

Customers who have purchased the affected product should dispose of it or return a qualifying receipt to their local Giant Eagle or Market District store for a refund.

In addition to this public communication regarding this recall, Giant Eagle initiated its consumer recall telephone notification process. The consumer recall process uses purchase data and consumer telephone numbers housed in the Giant Eagle Advantage Card database to alert those households that purchased the affected product and have updated telephone contact information in the database.

Milk

Happy Colon Foods, LLC of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is recalling Happy Colon YUM Shortbread Cookie and Happy Colon Mmmm Chocolate Chip Cookie, because they may contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Happy Colon YUM Shortbread Cookies and Happy Colon Mmmm Chocolate Chip Cookies were distributed in Oklahoma, New York, Connecticut, Texas, North Carolina, Kansas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tennessee, Arizona via mail order and direct delivery.

No illnesses have been reported to date, but the recall was initiated after it was discovered that Happy Colon YUM Shortbread Cookies and Happy Colon Mmmm Chocolate Chip Cookies containing milk were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a printing error on labelling.

Egg

Winter Gardens Quality Foods, Inc., is voluntary recalling one of its products: Whole Foods Market Spinach Artichoke Dip because of an undeclared allergen (egg). Consumers who have a food allergy or have severe sensitivity to egg should not consume the product as it could result in a serious life-threatening allergic reaction. The lot code can be found printed on the lid.

The affected product was sold at Whole Foods Market stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Washington DC on or after 14 July 2020.

No illnesses have been reported to date, but the recall was initiated following an internal review of records identified the incorrect label.

Winter Gardens is cooperating fully with regulatory authorities to successfully return all suspected product and has taken substantial actions to prevent any recurrences.

Further information regarding the above recalls can be found on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website.

Fish

In the UK, Highland Bay Seafoods has recalled their Baked Whole King Scallops with a creamy leek & kale sauce topped with mash potato because it contains fish which is not declared on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to fish.

Highland Bay has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. The company has also issued a point-of-sale notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tells them what to do if they have bought the product.

Consumers who have purchased the above product and have an allergy to fish have been advised not to eat it and instead return it to the store for a full refund or alternatively contact the company.

Find more details on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website.