Thursday, November 20, 2014

Bratwurst Recalled for Allergen Mislabeling Due to Soy Lecithin

Earlier this week, USDA posted a recall notice for a Pennsylvania company that was using soy lecithin as a processing aid and did not have the allergen claim on the label.  Now another Pennsylvania company has issued a recall for doing the same thing -  using a releasing agent containing soy lecithin and not claiming it on the label.

When the dog is on a scent, he's going to keep huntin'.  That is, now that USDA sees that there is an issue here that is not being properly addressed, those inspectors are going to be looking for it.  My bet is that this is not the last recall for soy lecithin mislabeling.


USDA News Release
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2014/recall-080-2014-release
Pennsylvania Firm Recalls Pork Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Class II Recall 080-2014
Health Risk: Low Nov 19, 2014
Congressional and Public Affairs   Felicia Thompson   (202) 720-9113

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2014 – K. Heeps, Inc., an Allentown, Pa., establishment is recalling approximately 2,902 pounds of Bratwurst and Bangers sausage products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products contain soy lecithin; a releasing agent used on contact surfaces during production and is a known allergen.

The Stryker Farm Beer Bratwurst and the Irish Style Bangers products were packaged on various dates from May 21, 2014 through Nov. 5, 2014. The following products are subject to recall:
1-lb. retail packages or 20-lb. Bulk Packages containing “ALL NATURAL ARTISAN PORK RECIPE STRYKER FARM IRISH STYLE BANGERS.”
1-lb. retail packages or 20-lb.Bulk Packages containing “ALL NATURAL ARTISAN PORK RECIPE STRYKER FARM BEER BRATWURST.”

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 9379A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products were sold to a single vendor, who further distributed it to restaurants and retailers in the state of Pennsylvania.

The problem was discovered during a periodic label review by FSIS inspection personnel. This was not disclosed on the product label. FSIS and the company have received no reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms have notified customers and taken steps to make certain that products are no longer available to customers.

Consumers and media with questions about the recall can contact Beau Heeps, at qa@heeps.com or at 1-610-530-5564.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

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