Monday, September 22, 2014

Allergen Labeling Issues result in recalls for candy and soup

Mars is recalling M&M product after it was discovered the pre-labeled outside box did not have the proper allergen label...that is, the product itself had an allergen not claimed on the outer box label.
 
One could sense the issue in this case because of a timing issue.  The product had a primary package (which had the right label), and then was place in a secondary package (the box which was incorrect) and these two could have been brought together at a later time...where there may have been less scrutiny.

And in the same time interval, a soup company is recalling Lobster Bisque because carton printing errors resulted in missing the fact that the product also contained shrimp, perch, and tilapia...in addition to lobster.

 Allergen mislabeling continues to be one of the primary reasons for recalls.  Many companies have made labeling a critical check point to ensure that the label matches the product in the container.  In these cases, it is important that the system follow that product through all label additions...whether it is the original package or the addition of secondary package.


PR Newswire
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mars-chocolate-north-america-issues-allergy-alert-voluntary-recall-on-undeclared-peanut-butter-in-mms-brand-milk-chocolate-theater-box-275844291.html
Mars Chocolate North America Issues Allergy Alert Voluntary Recall On Undeclared Peanut Butter In M&M's® Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box


HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Sept. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Mars Chocolate North America announced a voluntary recall of its M&M'S® Brand Theater Box 3.40 oz UPC #40000294764 with the following lot numbers:

This theater box item within these lot codes may contain product containing peanut butter without listing on the ingredient label on the outside cardboard box. The inside package is correctly labelled with ingredients and allergy information. 

People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if their theater box contains an inner M&Ms Brand Peanut Butter bag and they consume the product. No adverse reactions have been reported to date.

The issue was identified after a consumer notified us of a M&M'S® Brand Peanut Butter package containing peanut butter M&M'S® inside a M&M'S® Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box.

These specific lot codes were shipped and distributed to our customers' warehouses between May 8 and July 1, 2014, located in: NC, TX, MN, IL, FL, KY, MS, AZ, GA, AI, CA NJ, PA, WA NY, CO, MO, MI, NH, CT, TN, MD, SC, OH, ME, VA, RI, WI, WV, IA, LA, OK, MA, NE, OK, AR, VT, ID and IN . These customers then redistribute products for retail sale nationwide.

The M&M'S® Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box comes in a 3.40 oz brown, 3 inch x 6.5 inch cardboard box stamped on the right-hand side panel with the lot number and best before date.

Mars Chocolate will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled product is not on store shelves. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased this item and have allergy concerns, they should return this product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Consumers with questions or concerns may call our toll-free number: 1-800-627-7852. This number will be operational Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (EST).

Contact:
Consumer: 1-800-627-7852

Media: 1-973-691-3536



FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm416177.htm

The Original Soupman Issues Allergy Alert and Recall on Certain Lots of “The Original Soupman Lobster Bisque”

Contact
Consumer:
646-722-6673

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 24, 2014 - The ORIGINAL SOUPMAN of Staten Island, New York, is recalling some of its LOBSTER BISQUE in Tetra Pak cartons because due to human error some cartons were printed omitting that, in addition to lobster, the product also contains shrimp, as well as perch and tilapia in its lobster base. Only people who have allergies to shrimp (Crustaceans) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The recalled “Original Soupman Lobster Bisque” was distributed nationwide in retail stores.

The product comes in a 17 oz., tetra pak carton marked with lot numbers:

Lot Number0314435801
0411435801
0523435801
0709435803
0822435801
0709435802
0821435801


on the top and with a best buy date stamped on the top as well.

No allergic reactions have been reported to date in connection with this problem and the product is otherwise safe for consumption by persons who have no allergies to lobster, shrimp, perch or tilapia.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that when the Company moved its production to the United States, the product was distributed in packaging that inadvertently did not declare the presence of shrimp, perch and tilapia.

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