Food Bank Recalls Donated Candy Product for Potential Chemical Contamination

A Kansas food bank / food pantry is recalling a donated candy product due to that it may be contaminated with a chemical substance.  There has been one reported illness so far.  Six cases of this product were received and distributed by the food bank network to potentially  10 counties.  The group also states that this may be an isolated incidence.

This points out a challenge that food banks have with donated food - numerous and varied sources of product.  Depending on a given food banks procedures, donated food can come from retail, food service or manufacturing.  Packaged foods will generally be regarded as distressed - beyond the stated sell-by-date, or will have a cosmetic packaging issue, or will have a quality issue.  They may have been stored or handled using less-than-ideal ways. Food bank receiving and evaluation procedures and documentation is also more difficult considering the numerous entry points into the system.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm588386.htm
Harvesters Issues Safety Alert on Bibi Frutix Candy Possible Chemical Contamination
For Immediate Release
December 8, 2017


Contact
Media  Sarah Biles  sbiles@harvesters.org   816-929-3068

Announcement

On Tuesday, December 5, a partner food pantry agency in Wamego, Kansas notified Harvesters—The Community Food Network of potentially contaminated Bibi Frutix candy product it received through Harvesters’ distribution program.

The candy product is likely contaminated with a chemical substance and is potentially harmful if eaten. To date, there has been a report of one illness. The candy product is the shape of a small baby bottle and labeled “Bibi Frutix.” The product was donated to Harvesters. Harvesters estimates six cases or fewer of the candy product was received.

Harvesters followed recall procedures, including issuing a recall notice to all partner agencies (food pantries) and checking to see if any product remained in its warehouses. To date, no product has been found beyond what was involved in the initially reported incident in Wamego, Kan.

Harvesters’ agencies that could have received the product are located in the following 19 counties of Harvesters’ service area: Kansas: Johnson, Wyandotte, Miami, Franklin, Douglas, Jefferson, Shawnee, Nemaha, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee. Missouri counties are:
 Jackson, Platte, Clay, Ray, Lafayette, Johnson and Bates. Harvesters continues to cooperate with local and state authorities to determine the potential scope of the distribution.

This may be an isolated incident. Out of concern for public safety, Harvesters is alerting the public. The safety of the public, Harvesters’ agency partners, volunteers, clients and staff is most important.

The FDA has advised, if a member of the community has possession of the candy product, do not consume the product and dispose of it immediately. People who experience symptoms should contact their health care provider for treatment. If you believe product you received was contaminated, you may file a complaint with the FDA consumer complaint coordinator for Kansas and Missouri at 1-800-202-9780.