Imported Indian Ingredient Recalls for Undeclared Wheat Even Though Stated on Precautionary Label

Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd. Maharashtra, India is recalling its 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm & 500 gm, 1 Kg packages of "Asafoetida” Vandevi Yellow powder because they may contain undeclared traces wheat.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was being manufactured at a plant which also processed wheat products and therefore, there may be a possibility that the product may contain undeclared traces of wheat and the packaging did not mention the presence of traces of wheat as per the declaration required under labelling requirements of FSMA. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused due to misunderstanding of the precautionary labelling done on the product however not as per the labelling requirement of FSMA.

So basically, the foreign company producing the product thought it was acceptable to have trace amounts in the product (a function of inadequate cleaning / product protection) if they had the precautionary label on the product.  As we know, the Precautionary Label does not allow one to process without adequate allergen controls.

What is Asafoetida?  From bon appetit, "It is essentially a gum resin extracted from ferula, an herb in the celery family. It is usually available as a coarse yellow powder and smells like boiled eggs because of its sulfur compounds—which explains one of its other nicknames, devil’s dung. But don’t be put off by the pungency. When used properly, a pinch of hing supercharges every other spice in the pan, like salt but in a funkier way (and without any sodium)."

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kinjin-food-pvt-ltd-maharashtra-india-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-wheat-traces-vandevi
Kinjin Food Pvt Ltd, Maharashtra, India Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat Traces in "Vandevi Asafoeitida Yellow Powder"
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 10, 2024
FDA Publish Date:  January 17, 2024
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared wheat traces.
Company Name:  Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd.
Brand Name:  Vandevi
Product Description:  Asafoetida Yellow Powder in 50 gram, 100 gram, 200 gram, 500 gram, and 1 kilogram packages.

Company Announcement

Kinjin Food Pvt. Ltd. Maharashtra, India is recalling its 50 gm, 100 gm, 200 gm & 500 gm, 1 Kg packages of "Asafoetida” Vandevi Yellow powder because they may contain undeclared traces wheat. People who have allergies to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled "Asafoetida" products were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.

The product details including batch number, package size with expiry date is mentioned in the table below. The product is packed a yellow plastic bottle with a pale blue label with UPC 50g-8906044469013, 100g-8906044469020, 200g-8906044469037, 500g-8906044469044, 1kg-8906044469051. You will find the information of batch number, quantity and expiry date on the product label.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product was being manufactured at a plant which also processed wheat products and therefore, there may be a possibility that the product may contain undeclared traces of wheat and the packaging did not mention the presence of traces of wheat as per the declaration required under labelling requirements of FSMA. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused due to misunderstanding of the precautionary labelling done on the product however not as per the labelling requirement of FSMA.

Export and distribution of the product in the USA has been suspended until FDA and the company are certain that the problem has been corrected.

Consumers who have purchased packages of "Asafoetida " Vandevi Yellow powder are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at operations@kinjinfood.com +919819003276 (Mr. Hiren Thakkar)

Time: - 12 a.m. EDT to 7 a.m. EDT.
Annexure Name
Product name: - Vandevi Asafoetida Yellow Powder
BATCH NO. PACK SIZE EXP/ BEST BEFORE END DATES
163 50g 06-11-2023, 10-11-2023, 13-02-2024
100g 11-2023, 06-11-2023 10-11-2023, 08-12-2023, 23-12-2023, 05-12-2023, 14-12-2023, 13-02-2024
1 kg 10-11-2023
169 50g 22-02-2024, 24-02-2024, 03-04-2024, 06-05-2024, 05-06-2024
100g 12-2023, 22-02-2024, 24-02-2024, 04-03-2024, 08-03-2024, 25-03-2024, 03-04-2024, 08-05-024, 03-06-2024, 05-06-2024, 09-06-2024, 03-07-2024
200g & 500g 22-02-2024
1 kg 08-05-2024
173 50g 13-07-2024, 08-08-2024, 25-09-2024, 11-11-2024
100g 11-07-2024, 01-08-2024, 19-08-2024, 14-09-2024, 25-09-2024, 11-11-2024, 20-11-2024, 12-12-2024
178 50g 18-01-2025, 01-03-2025, 09-03-2025, 02-05-2025, 10-05-2025,
100g 12-2024, 18-01-2025, 02-2025, 13-02-2025, 01-03-2025, 09-03-2025, 19-03-2025, 02-04-2025, 09-04-2025, 02-05-2025, 07-05-2025
200g 09-03-2025, 02-05-2025
181 50g 07-07-2025, 13-07-2025, 15-08-2025, 22-08-2025, 01-09-2025, 10-09-2025, 14-09-2025
100g 05-06-2025, 08-06-2025, 14-06-2025, 07-07-2025, 13-07-2025, 24-07-2025, 06-08-2025, 15-08-2025, 22-08-2025, 09-2025, 01-09-2025, 10-09- 2025, 14-09-2025
1kg 15-08-2025