Popcorn Recall

Whole Foods Market® Issues Recall on 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Popcorn, Lightly Salted Due to Undeclared Dairy Allergen

Contact:
Libba Letton
512-542-3038
Libba.letton@wholefoods.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — AUSTIN, Texas — August 14, 2008 — Whole Foods Market today is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn, Lightly Salted because it may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The popcorn in these packages was incorrectly flavored with a white cheddar seasoning which includes milk ingredients; the seasoning may not be visibly apparent. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

This product was distributed to and sold in Whole Foods Market retail stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

The product is sold in a blue and white 5 ounce bag with a picture of popcorn in a red and white container. The product is labeled as 365 Organic Everyday Value Organic Popcorn, Lightly Salted with a UPC of 9948240552. The recalled product’s lot code is stamped on the front top right corner and reads “Sell By 10/28/08″ or “Sell By 10/29/08″.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product containing milk ingredients was incorrectly packaged in bags that did not reveal the presence of milk ingredients. Subsequent investigations indicate the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the producer’s packaging processes.

Consumers who have purchased 365 Organic Popcorn Lightly Salted with a lot code of “Sell By 10/28/08″ or “Sell By 10/29/08″ are urged to return it to any Whole Foods Market for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 512-542-0656.

Vanilla Wafers Recalled

Manufacturer for Publix Brand Vanilla Wafers Issues a Recall for Undeclared Soy

Contact:
Roy Peterson, General Manager
Toufayan Bakery
roy@toufayan.com
813-754-5565

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — August 15, 2008 – The manufacturer of Publix Vanilla Wafers is recalling a limited number of 12oz boxes of Vanilla Wafers with a code date of 030409A as they may contain undeclared soy. Persons who have an allergy to soy run the risk of a serious or possible life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the affected product. The UPC number may be found on the side label below the Nutrition Facts panel:

Publix Vanilla Wafers, UPC: 41415-00609

The product was distributed throughout the chain to include stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee.

The vanilla wafers are packaged in 12 oz. paperboard boxes.

“The recall was initiated after the discovery of gingersnap cookies co-packaged with vanilla wafers. This resulted in the undeclared soy ingredient.” said Roy Peterson, Toufayan Bakery general manager. “As part of Publix commitment to food safety, they are asking customers to return the product for a full refund or replacement.  There have been no reported cases of illness. Consumers with questions may contact Publix at 1-800-242-1227.”

Mussel Products Warning

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Certain Mussel Products from Bantry Bay Seafood

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers against eating certain frozen cooked mussel products made by Bantry Bay Seafoods, imported from Ireland, because they may be contaminated with azaspiracid toxins, a group of naturally occurring marine toxins known to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Azaspiracid toxins are odorless, tasteless, and cannot be destroyed or neutralized by freezing or cooking, including boiling. Individuals who have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as those noted above after eating any of the products listed below should consult their health care professional. Symptoms typically occur within hours of consumption and persist for two to three days.

In July, two people in Washington state became ill after eating the company’s “Mussels in a Garlic Butter Sauce.” FDA tested unopened product from the same production lot and found that it contained the azaspiracid toxins.

Consumers should throw out the following Bantry Bay Seafood frozen cooked products with “Best before end” dates ranging from January 23, 2009, to November 15, 2009:

• Mussels in a Garlic Butter Sauce
• Mussels in White Wine Sauce
• Mussels in Tomato and Garlic Sauce

The “Best before end” dates are displayed on the side of the box in the following format: MM:DD:YY. Products to be thrown out are marked with dates 01:23:09 through 11:15:09.

These products are sold frozen in 1 pound cardboard packages in stores throughout the United States.

The FDA also recommends that retailers and foodservice operators remove these products, and any food in which these products were used as an ingredient, from sale or service.

Azaspiracid toxins were an unknown marine toxin until 1995, when they were identified and linked to an outbreak of foodborne illnesses associated with consumption of Irish shellfish. The toxins have since been identified in other shellfish from the west coast of Europe. They have never been detected in shellfish harvested from U.S. waters.

For more information on food safety, please visit the Web site for FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html.

Tags: Food