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Thursday, June 9, 2016

Snack Items Recalled After Supplier's Supplier Has Peanut Allergen Cross Contact Issue

Frito Lay and Hostess announced recalls of a number of their flour containing snacks after their supplier found that peanut allergen may be present in the flour they provided.  That supplier, Grain Craft, announced that the issue came from one of their suppliers, a flour mill in Georgia (where there are plenty of peanuts).  Hostess has reported two potential allergen issues, Frito Lay has not had any reports of issues.
 Grain Craft stated in their press release:
"These recent recalls bring to light the challenge of agricultural cross-contact, which is the result of customary methods of growing, harvesting and shipping of wheat and other agricultural products."
So was Grain Craft managing peanut allergen as a potential hazard?  It was not stated in their press release [attached below].
 
So if your company is buying bulk wheat flour, good time to assess whether peanut allergen can be a risk.  Part of that will be checking with the supplier to see if they are controlling allergens as part of their food safety procedures, especially when they are sourcing their product from various mills.
  
CNN
Rold Gold pretzels, Hostess snacks recalled for possible peanut contamination
By Debra Goldschmidt, CNN
Updated 7:01 PM ET, Tue June 7, 2016
 
(CNN)Frito-Lay is voluntarily recalling some of its Rold Gold brand pretzels because they may contain peanut residue not identified on the label, the company said Tuesday. The recalled pretzels include Tiny Twists, Thins, Sticks and Honey Wheat Braided.
The recalled pretzels have a "guaranteed fresh" date between June 28 and August 23 of this year. They've been sold nationwide in stores, by food service suppliers and in vending machines.
 
This comes on the heels of a Hostess Brands voluntary recall last week of 71,000 cases of some of its snack cakes and doughnuts for the same reason. The recalled items include Ding Dongs and Zinger snacks. Also included are doughnuts such as crunch, chocolate, devil's food and powdered. The full list of recalled items can be found on the FDA website.
Both companies said their recalls were prompted by a flour recall initiated in April by their flour supplier, Grain Craft. That company issued a recall after detecting peanut residue in some wheat flour. The flour in question is from one mill in Georgia and was grown in the South, where peanuts are also produced, according to the company.
Grain Craft said in a statement that it does not produce or use any peanut products in its facilities, adding, "These recent recalls bring to light the challenge of agricultural cross-contact, which is the result of customary methods of growing, harvesting and shipping of wheat and other agricultural products." The recall was issued out of "an abundance of caution, in consultation with the FDA, to help ensure that our customers' peanut affected flour products don't reach consumers."
Products with flour that contains peanut residue could be consumed by individuals with peanut allergies, causing an allergic reaction.
About 2% of adults in the U.S. and 5% of children suffer from food allergies, according to the FDA. Food allergies result in an estimated 30,000 emergency room visits each year, and 150 American die from allergic reactions each year.
Hostess said it is aware of two allergic reactions resulting from recalled products. Frito-Lay is not aware of any reports of allergic reactions associated with its recalled products.
"While those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume products containing peanut allergens, the amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is considered to be low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers," Hostess said in a statement.
In April, CSM Bakery announced the voluntary recall of its 8-inch single-layer red velvet cake, sold at Safeway stores. It also recalled 12-inch decorated chocolate chip cookies sold at Acme and Jewel stores because of the flour recall.
Nine other recalls for undeclared peanuts have been issued this year that are not linked to the Grain Craft flour recall. 
 Grain Craft Website
Graincraft Recall Response
 
Grain Craft response to recent consumer product recalls for undeclared peanut allergen
 
On April 26, 2016, Grain Craft learned of the intermittent presence of peanut in the wheat flour supplied by one of our flour mills in Georgia. We immediately began discussions with FDA, and determined the source to be soft red winter wheat grown in peanut producing regions of the South. ‬‬As of April 30, 2016, Grain Craft ceased using the wheat in question and subsequent FDA testing did not show the presence of peanut protein in flour from our South Georgia mill. In addition, FDA fully inspected our South Georgia facility and did not indicate any concerns with the mill’s operations. All of our milling processes have been and continue to be in compliance with all FDA and USDA millings standards.
 
To be clear, Grain Craft does not manufacture or produce any consumer products at the South Georgia mill, nor does Grain Craft use or produce peanut or any peanut products in any of our facilities at any time. We are a supplier of milled wheat to food and baking companies across the U.S. We have been working with our customers and the FDA as they continue to conduct assessments of their products and evaluate next steps, including potential recalls. Any future notification of consumer product recalls will come directly from the FDA or finished product manufacturers, not from Grain Craft.
 
These recent recalls bring to light the challenge of agricultural cross-contact, which is the result of customary methods of growing, harvesting and shipping of wheat and other agricultural products. Grain Craft has taken the lead in driving this industry-wide discussion for our customers and their consumers.
 
For more information on consumer product recalls, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Recalls/default.htm
 
Frequently Asked Questions
 
What is the purpose of this recall?
  • On April 26, Grain Craft became aware of the intermittent presence of peanut residue in flour produced in our South Georgia mill. We notified the FDA immediately. Based on consultation with FDA, we initiated a voluntary recall with our customers of all affected flour.
Why did the recall take place?
  • Though the peanut residue was found at low and intermittent levels, Grain Craft acted out of an abundance of caution, in consultation with the FDA, to help ensure that our customers’ peanut-affected flour products don’t reach consumers.
Does Grain Craft produce peanuts, or products that contain peanuts?
  • No. We have never handled or processed peanuts in any of our facilities. The cross-contact that we uncovered and reported to the FDA and our customers occurred before the wheat reached our South Georgia mill. The wheat was grown in a peanut producing region of the South.
What consumer products does Grain Craft manufacture at the South Georgia mill?
  • None. Grain Craft does not produce any direct to consumer products at our South Georgia mill. We only sell wheat flour to food and baking companies.
Does Grain Craft supply any flour directly to any restaurants from the South Georgia mill?
  • No. We supply flour to finished food manufacturers. All of our customers have been notified.
Is Grain Craft still using wheat that potentially contains peanut allergen?
  • No. What has Grain Craft done to ensure product safety? Grain Craft has addressed the risk of peanut residue by discontinuing the purchase and use of the wheat subject to cross-contact. We have also worked closely with the FDA and our customers every step of the way to help resolve this issue.
Who should consumers contact for further information about this issue?
 
   
FDA Recall Notice 
 Frito-Lay Issues Voluntary Recall of Select Rold Gold Tiny Twists, Rold Gold Thins, Rold Gold Sticks and Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided Due to Potential Undeclared Peanut Allergen
  
For Immediate Release
June 6, 2016
 
Contact
Consumers Frito-Lay Consumer Relations 1-888-256-3090
Media Chris Kuechenmeister Chris.Kuechenmeister@pepsico.com 972-334-2044 office
214-422-8901 mobile
  
Announcement 
 
PLANO, Texas – Frito-Lay today announced a voluntary recall of select Rold Gold Tiny Twists, Rold Gold Thins, Rold Gold Sticks and Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided due to a potential undeclared peanut allergen.
  
This recall is the direct result of a recent recall by a Frito-Lay supplier of certain lots of flour for undeclared peanut residue. The Rold Gold products subject to the recall may have been produced using the recalled flour and, as a result, these Rold Gold products may contain low levels of undeclared peanut residue. More information about the flour recall can be found on the FDA’s website at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm504002.htm.
  
The affected Rold Gold packages are sold in retail stores and via foodservice and vending customers throughout the United States, and have “guaranteed fresh” dates ranging from June 28, 2016 - August 23, 2016 on the front of the package. Directly underneath the “guaranteed fresh” date is a 9-digit manufacturing code that includes the numbers “32” in the second and third position (example: x32xxxxxx).
  
The following products with the above-described “guaranteed fresh” dates and manufacturing codes are impacted:
 
Rold Gold Tiny Twists - 1 oz. , 2 oz., 16 oz. and 20½ oz.
 
Rold Gold Thins - 4 oz. and 16 oz.
 
Rold Gold Sticks - 16 oz.
 
Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided - 10 oz.
  
It is important to note that products that do not include 32 in the second and third positions of the manufacturing code are not impacted.
  
The Rold Gold Tiny Twists are also included in select multipack offerings. The impacted multipacks have “use by” dates on the front of the package. Directly next to or underneath the “use by” date is a 11-digit manufacturing code that will include the letter combination AM, TO, QH, QC or SW in the second and third position (example: xAMxxxxxxxx). The impacted products have different, varying “use by” dates, including:
 
20 count Baked & Popped Mix -- “use by” dates ranging from May 31 - July 26, 2016
 
20 count SunChips & Rold Gold Mix -- “use by” dates ranging from June 14 - August 9, 2016
 
32 count Fun Times Mix -- “use by” dates ranging from June 14 - August 9, 2016
 
30 count Baked & Popped Variety Pack -- “use by” dates ranging from June 14 - August 9, 2016
 
30 count Home Town Favorite Variety Pack -- “use by” dates ranging from May 31 - July 26, 2016
  
To date, Frito-Lay has received no reports of illness related to the products covered by this recall. No other Rold Gold products or flavors are impacted. Frito-Lay has informed the FDA of our actions.
  
Consumers with any product noted above can return the product to retailer for a full refund, or contact Frito-Lay Consumer Relations (9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) at 1-888-256-3090 or www.pretzelrecall.com.
  
FDA Recall Notice
Hostess Brands, LLC Issues Recall On Possible Undeclared Peanut Residue In Certain Snack Cake And Donut Products
  
For Immediate Release
June 3, 2016
 
Contact
Consumers1-800-686-2813 
Announcement
  
Move Comes as Part of FDA’s Safety Advisory Regarding Grain Craft Flour Recall
  
Hostess Brands, LLC is voluntarily recalling 710,000 cases of select snack cakes and donuts as a direct result of the recent recall by our supplier, Grain Craft, of certain lots of its flour for undeclared peanut residue. The Hostess Brands products subject to the recall were produced using the Grain Craft flour that has now been recalled and, as a result, these products may contain low levels of undeclared peanut residue. More information about the Grain Craft recall can be found on the FDA’s website at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm504002.htm.
  
While those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume products containing peanut allergens, the amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is considered to be low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers. To date, Hostess has received notice of two allergic reactions related to the product covered by this recall. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling the specific products listed on the attachment.
  
This recall applies only to the products listed. This recall does not affect any other Hostess Brands products.
 
The Hostess Brands products affected by the recall include single serve (snack cakes and donuts), multipack boxes and bagged donuts. The products were sold to mass merchandisers, grocery stores, distributors, dollar stores, drug stores, and convenience stores throughout the United States and Mexico.
 
Anyone who has purchased an affected product and who has a sensitivity or allergy to peanuts is encouraged to discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
 
Consumers with questions may contact 1-800-686-2813 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm Central time, and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 7 pm Central time. Consumers may also visit www.hostesscakes.com

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