Minnesota Distributor Recalls Veggie Pizza For Undeclared Soy From Crust Supplier

Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling Veggie Pizza under the Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy brands as it may contain undeclared soy.  The recall was initiated after the crust supplier notified Russ Davis of the undeclared soy allergen.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/russ-davis-wholesale-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-veggie-pizza
Russ Davis Wholesale Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Veggie Pizza
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  May 04, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  May 04, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared soy
Company Name:  Russ Davis Wholesale
Brand Name:  Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy
Product Description:  Veggie Pizza

Proposed FASTER Legislation Looks to Add Sesame, and Potentially Other Allergens, to Allergen Labeling Requirements

The proposed FASTER legislation is an item focused on food allergens.  It had made progress towards getting passed in 2020, but ran out of time and has to be reintroduced.

This legislation would add sesame to the list of allergens requiring labeling, but also opens the door for other allergens to be added at the decision of the Secretary.  From the proposed legislation (below) "Any other food ingredient that the Secretary determines by regulation to be a major food allergen, based on the scientific criteria determined by the Secretary (including the prevalence and severity of allergic reactions to the food ingredient) that establish that such food ingredient is an allergen of public health concern.”.

Food Business News

https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/18218-allergens-in-the-crosshairs

Allergens in the crosshairs

03.23.2021By Jay Sjerven

WASHINGTON — Both Congress and federal regulators have accelerated efforts to defend populations whose sensitivity to major food allergens puts them at risk for illness or even death. In Congress, legislation requiring sesame be added to the existing list of eight major allergens subject to labeling requirements advanced with the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Food Allergy, Safety, Treatment, Education (FASTER) Act on March 3.

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Caesar Dressing and Dip Recalled for Missing Anchovies in Blue Cheese Dressing

Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling Kowalski’s brand Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Kowalski’s Steakhouse Blue Dressing because the Blue Cheese Dressing contains undeclared fish (anchovies). Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling Kowalski’s brand Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Kowalski’s Steakhouse Blue Dressing because the Blue Cheese Dressing contains undeclared fish (anchovies).

In a similar, and but potentially recall, Litehouse Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of its Brite Harbor Caesar Dressing & Dip 1.5 oz pillows because it may contain undeclared anchovies. The voluntary recall was initiated after it was discovered that product labeling stated Caesar [which was correct] on the Front label and Blue Cheese on the back [which would not have any anchovies on it]. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a packaging error.

So these could be related if Russ Wholesale bought the Litehouse Blue cheese dressing to use in their product, but in reality received the mislabeled Caesar (and then nobody saw the label disparity). If this were the case, then the procedures for the facility producing the Cauliflower bites would have to be include a closer evaluation of the ingredients. Interesting to consider.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/russ-davis-wholesale-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-fish-anchovies-kowalskis-buffalo-cauliflower
Russ Davis Wholesale Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Fish (Anchovies) in Kowalski’s Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Summary
Company Announcement Date: February 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date: February 15, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Fish (Anchovies)
Company Name: Russ Davis Wholesale
Brand Name: Kowalski’s Markets
Product Description: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Yogurt Covered Cranberries Recalled Due to Undeclared Almonds

Hickory Harvest Foods of Akron, OH is recalling Vanilla Flavored Yogurt Covered Cranberries manufactured under the brand of Sprouts Farmers Market because they may contain undeclared Almonds.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing Almonds may have been distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Almonds.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hickory-harvest-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almonds-sprouts-vanilla-flavored-yogurt
Hickory Harvest Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Sprouts Vanilla Flavored Yogurt Covered Cranberries
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 09, 2021
FDA Publish Date: February 09, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Almonds
Company Name:  Hickory Harvest Foods
Brand Name:  Sprouts
Product Description:   Vanilla Yogurt Covered Cranberries

Sauce Products Recalled for Missing Shrimp Ingredient

Delicae Gourmet LLC of Tarpon Springs, FL is recalling Thai Peanut Sauce, Panang Curry Sauce, and Spicy Red Curry Sauce, because it contains undeclared shrimp allergen. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing shrimp was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the shrimp. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes.

While the pictures of the product posted on the FDA website clearly state 'shrimp', one could guess that a different version of the packaging was used where the shrimp was not listed?

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/delicae-gourmet-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-shrimp-allergen-thai-peanut-sauce-panang-curry
Delicae Gourmet LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Shrimp Allergen in Thai Peanut Sauce, Panang Curry Sauce, and Spicy Red Curry Sauce
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 09, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Gravy/Sauces
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared Shrimp
Company Name: Delicae Gourmet LLC
Brand Name: Delicae
Product Description: Thai Peanut Sauce, Spicy Red Curry Sauce

Packaging Operator Blamed for Mislabeling Error That Resulted in Allergen Recall

Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC of Seattle, WA is recalling 8450 packages of Publix brand Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets, net wt.12oz, frozen, UPC 41415 30245 7, because it may contain undeclared soy due to mis-packaging.   The problem was discovered when a consumer reported that the Teriyaki sauced salmon was found inside the retail box labeled as Parmesan-crusted salmon. Further investigation by the co-packer UniSea Cold Storage of Redmond, WA revealed that the that the loading box machine operator must have inadvertently grabbed the Parmesan-crusted salmon retail box instead of the correct boxes. We estimate only 300 units of 8450 Teriyaki sauced salmon packages were mis-packaged as Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets.

So what controls can be put in place to prevent such a simple error?  There needs to be more than just throwing it all on the packaging operator.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ocean-beauty-seafood-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-publix-brand-parmesan-crusted-wild
Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Publix Brand Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets 12 Oz. Package
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  February 08, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  February 08, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Soy
Company Name:  Ocean Beauty Seafood LLC
Brand Name:  Publix
Product Description:  Parmesan-Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon Fillets

Salad Kit Recalled After Wrong Topping Kit (with Different Allergens) Was Added

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a single lot code of Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit.  This recall is due to possible undeclared allergens (fish and egg) in Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit. The dressing and topping kit (masterpack) designed for a different Dole product was unintentionally used during a portion of the production of the salad.

It seems we have seen a good many recalls of these kits where the wrong topping pack was inserted.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-limited-voluntary-recall-doletm-endless-summer-salad-kit-due
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Limited Voluntary Recall of Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit Due to Undeclared Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to possible undeclared allergens (fish and egg)
Company Name:  Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole™
Product Description:  Dole™ Endless Summer Salad Kit

Banana Muffin Recalled for Undeclared Milk After Analysis by State Laboratory

Hong Thai Foods Corp. of Brooklyn, NY is recalling its 220 grams/7.76 ounce packages of Golden Boy Custard Muffin Banana because they may contain undeclared milk allergens.  The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared milk allergens in the 220 grams/7.76 ounce packages of Golden Boy Custard Muffin Banana which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hong-thai-foods-corp-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-allergens-golden-boy-custard-muffin-banana
Hong Thai Foods Corp Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk Allergens in Golden Boy Custard Muffin Banana
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 26, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 29, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Dairy
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared milk 
Company Name:  Hong Thai Foods Corp.
Brand Name:  Golden Boy
Product Description:  Custard Muffin Banana

Oatmeal Recalled After Consumers Finds Almond in Product Where Almonds Not on Label.

think! and Interpac Technologies, Inc., of Woodland, California, a supplier of certain think! brand oatmeal products, have issued a voluntary recall on specific lots of think! Protein + Fiber Oatmeal, Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble products which may inadvertently contain undeclared tree nuts, including almonds and pecans. The recall was initiated following a report from a consumer of finding a piece of almond while consuming the product, and it was discovered that products manufactured in the same lot may contain undeclared almonds or pecans. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an inadvertent error in the production process.

This appears to be a line clean-out issue.  The company needs to 'think' about how to verify proper clean-out is accomplished between runs of product, especially when non-allergen product is produced after product containing nuts.  (Actually, they need to do more than 'think' about it, but implement procedures.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/think-and-interpac-technologies-inc-issue-voluntary-recall-and-allergy-alert-undeclared-tree-nuts
Think! and Interpac Technologies, Inc., Issue Voluntary Recall and Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Think! Protein + Fiber Oatmeal, Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble Products
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 28, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Due to undeclared almonds and pecans
Company Name:  think! and Interpac Technologies, Inc.
Brand Name:  think!
Product Description:  Protein fiber oatmeal farmer’s market berry crumble

Yellow Peas Recalled For Soy Allergen Which Resulted After Mix-up with Soybeans

Maine Grains, Inc. of Skowhegan, Maine is recalling 2,000 pounds of Organic Yellow Peas sold between 10.17.2019 and 11.1.2020 because it may contain undeclared soybeans.   The recall was initiated after it was discovered that organic soybeans of very similar size, shape and color to organic yellow peas were mistakenly shipped by a farmer supplier to Maine Grains, Inc. and were used to fulfill orders of organic yellow peas.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/maine-grains-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-organic-yellow-peas
Maine Grains, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Organic Yellow Peas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 27, 2021
FDA Publish Date: January 27, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Undeclared soy
Company Name: Main Grains, Inc.
Brand Name: Maine Grains, GrowNYC
Product Description: Organic yellow peas

Insects as Food in the Future - Allergens for Some May Be a Concern

In a recent study, researchers investigated the allergen concerns with insects.  Insects are consumed in many parts of the world, and many view them as becoming a bigger component of our diet in the future.  There are many start-ups in the US focused on developing food products using bugs, and in the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) just approved golden mealworms safe for consumption.

But because insects are related to crustacean shellfish, there would be similar allergen concerns.  “Shellfish allergies affect up to three per cent of people globally, but varies according to age and region, and there’s a good chance that people allergic to shellfish will also react to insects.”


https://www.ecu.edu.au/news/latest-news/2021/01/putting-bugs-on-the-menu-safely
Putting bugs on the menu, safely
Thursday, 28 January 2021

Popcorn Recalled for Milk Allergens when Cheddar Flavored Labeled as Butter Flavored

Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc. is recalling one specific lot of 8 oz. bags labeled as Butter Flavored Popcorn were filled with cheddar flavored popcorn. The error resulted in a undeclared milk being present.  But wait, wouldn't butter flavor have milk allergens just like the cheddar flavored popcorn?  Not, the butter flavor is just the flavor chemicals and oil, not real butter.

(Source: FDA - https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bickels-snack-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-specific-lot-butter-flavored-popcorn)

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bickels-snack-foods-inc-issues-allergy-alert-specific-lot-butter-flavored-popcorn
Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Specific Lot of Butter Flavored Popcorn
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 22, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 25, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Bickel’s Snack Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  Bickel’s Snack Foods
Product Description:  Butter Flavored Popcorn

Bags of Potato Chips Recalled for Allergens After 50 Bags Packed with Wrong Product

Frito-Lay today issued a recall for 50 bags of 13 1/2 oz. “Party Size” bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips because after it was discovered that the 50 bags of Ruffles Original Potato Chips were inadvertently filled with potato chips of another flavor and thus had an undeclared allergen, in this case, milk.

You may 'recall' that last month, Frito Lay received a Warning Letter from FDA for  poor allergen control procedures that had resulted in two allergen-related recalls.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frito-lay-issues-voluntary-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-small-number-ruffles-original-potato-chips-0
Frito-Lay Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Small Number of Ruffles Original Potato Chips
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 21, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 21, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Snack Food Item  
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk
Company Name:  Frito Lay
Brand Name:  Ruffles
Product Description:  Potato Chips

Beef Jerky Recalled Due to Missing Allergen on Label

USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen in that the product contains anchovies, an fish allergen, which is not declared on the product label.  "The product labeled as “CHARLIE BROWN FARMS PREMIUM BEEF JERKY Original Prime Rib” contains Worcestershire, which is not listed as an ingredient, but was utilized in the product formulation."


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2021/pha-01152021-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Beef Jerky Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

USDA Issues Alert on Mislabeled Chicken Enchiladas

USDA FSIS issued a Public Health Alert for Chicken Enchilada products after a retail employee found a labeling issue.  The product was sold through HyVee retail stores in eight midwestern states.  The product is a NRTE product and thus requires cooking, and past its stated shelf-life date.  Because of this, USDA FSIS issued an alert rather than a recall in the event someone had frozen the product.  

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2021/pha-01072021-01
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Not-Ready-to-Eat, Heat Treated, Not Fully Cooked Chicken Enchilada Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen

Mislabeled Product - Salad Packed with the Wrong Dressing/Topping Pack

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is recalling a limited number of cases of Dole™ Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit because the wrong dressing and topping kit (masterpack) was unintentionally used during a portion of the production of the Sesame Asian Chopped Salad.  In short, the dressing/topping kit used had egg  which did not match the salad being produced.  As stated in the release, only a portion of the production run was affected, so someone grabbed the wrong packets and control checks did not catch the mix-up.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/dole-fresh-vegetables-announces-limited-voluntary-recall-doletm-sesame-asian-chopped-salad-kit-due
Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Limited Voluntary Recall of Dole™ Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit Due to Undeclared Allergens
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  January 05, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  January 05, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Prepared Food
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared eggs  Allergens

Company Name:   Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
Brand Name:  Dole
Product Description:  Sesame Asian Chopped Salad Kit

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Whole Foods for Ongoing Series of Allergen Recalls

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Whole Foods after a long series of recalls. FDA cited 32 recalls over the past year. (Certainly, it is about time.)

"These recalls demonstrate that your corporation engaged in a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products. For the time period of October 2019 to November 2020, your firm recalled 32 food products due to undeclared allergen(s). We noticed similar patterns of numerous recalls for undeclared allergens in previous years as well."

Here is a sampling of the reasons why allergen labeling errors occurred.

• F‐0925‐2020 - mislabeling occurred because your internal labeling system for the repackaging of food products was not updated to reflect the current ingredient listing for the product.
• F‐0408‐2020 - contract manufacturer packaged a Butter Cookies & Sweet Cream Italian Gelato product with the incorrect Raspberry Cheesecake Italian Gelato label thereby causing the product to have the incorrect ingredient declaration and undeclared egg.
• F‐0131‐2020 - mislabeling occurred because your retail employees applied a label which did not reflect the ingredient listing on the manufacturer’s label. This caused the product to have undeclared milk and eggs.
• F‐1048‐202 -  mislabeling occurred because the ingredient statement, which included almond flour, on the master carton was not fully transferred to the scale label used for the individual containers.
• F‐1354‐2020 to F‐1362‐2020 -  mislabeling occurred because not all of your regions had updated their scale ingredient statement to include the egg allergen. This caused the product to have undeclared eggs.

It comes down to this.....the mass retailer buys and sells a lot of specialty products.  Information must be passed from the manufacturer down through to the distribution centers and stores (wherever the items are labeled,  often use print-on-demand label printers).  If communication and technology input procedures are not tight, there is a lot of room for error.  But not impossible, as many other retailers do the same thing with far fewer issues.

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/whole-foods-market-610862-12162020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Whole Foods Market
MARCS-CMS 610862 — December 16, 2020 

This Week in Mislabeled Product for Week Ending December 17, 2020

Online Sales of Improperly Packaged Snack Sticks - The U.S. USDA FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) pork snack stick products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product may contain milk which is not declared on the product label.   The RTE product labeled as “Country Meats HOT BBQ Flavor Smoked Pork Snack Sticks” may actually contain Chili Cheese flavor pork snack sticks and was produced on November 6, 2020. These items were sold online to individual customers who further sold the product as a fundraiser item. The problem was discovered when the producing establishment received consumer complaints reporting cheese in the Hot BBQ flavored snack sticks. 

Pecans in Cookies but Not on Label - George DeLallo Co., Inc. of Mt. Pleasant, PA is recalling Publix Bakery 20 OZ Holiday Cookie Platters because they may contain undeclared pecans.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the pecan-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of pecans. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging processes.

FDA Issues Warning Letter to Potato Chip Manufacturer for Allergen Mislabeling

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Frito Lay for two allergen related issues that resulted in recalls.    One occurred when at the Bakersfield, CA facility when  incorrect seasoning containing undeclared milk was applied to Lay’s Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips  and the other was a mislabeling issue at the Vancouver, WA facility when  bags of Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chip potato chips were labeled “Ruffles Original Potato Chips”.  Basically, the two facilities had procedures but did not follow them.

Mislabeling at WA facility

According tot the report , the facility did not adequately implement food allergen controls at the packaging step allowing incorrect labeling where Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips were bagged as Ruffles Original bags, thus an undeclared major food allergen, milk. 

In this case, the facility did not implement their roll change procedure - they were manufacturing Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips and intended to change the bagmaker to 1.5oz size Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream; however, the bagmaker operator incorrectly used the Ruffles Original film. 

The allergen control procedure, “Film Splice Tracking,” is in place to indicate that at roll change the person will log the time, the identifying labeling film code, and attach the labeling film splice to the “Film Splice Verification” form, and then a second person will verify the labeling film code. 

• These splice operations were not documented on the form. 
• Also, the form indicates that the product should be identified, but on June 24, 2020, the product was not identified on this form. 
• Further, the firm discontinued attaching the labeling film splice to the form in June of 2020.

Additionally, there was a procedure to verify the correct product is in the correct package and bag coding/case coding information is accurate. "The procedure also requires that the “Product” and “Flavor” be documented and that “Product Tasted / Correct Product in Bag?” is assessed and given a “GO or NO-GO.” On June 24, 2020, during the production of the recalled bags labeled “Ruffles Original Potato Chips” but containing Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips, “Product Tasted / Correct Product in Bag?” was given a “GO” even though the product documented on the form was Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream, and the label was “Ruffles Original.”   Further wo employees signed the form, indicating that they verified the activities performed, and the discrepancy was not noted."

Allergen Cross Contact at the Bakersfield CA facility

The firm did not adequately implement the "Seasoning Allergens SSOP” and PSM (Product Safety Management) Procedure, which are allergen preventive control procedures to significantly minimize or prevent allergen cross-contact. "These procedures indicate that [the firm] will verify that all visible evidence of prior seasoning is removed [after] cleaning. On September 23, 2020, (b)(4) cleaning of packaging line (b)(4) in preparation for production of Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips, orange residue, which was the same color as the seasoning used in milk-containing Ruffles Queso made immediately (b)(4) cleaning, was observed by our investigator. In particular, three orange residues approximately one millimeter in size were observed on the (b)(4) feeder (food contact surface), and two orange residues approximately one millimeter in size were observed on the interior surface of an unsealed finished product label for Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips on the bagmaker of packaging Line (b)(4). These residues were observed after you conducted a (b)(4) clean-out and documented on your “(b)(4)” form that “the line has no visible evidence of previous products/seasoning run.” Further, a post-sanitation verification audit was conducted by your PSM auditor, and this area was determined to be ready for production and packaging of Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips. Lay’s Limón Flavored Potato Chips do not contain milk."

FDA Warning Letter
https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/frito-lay-inc-611243-11242020
WARNING LETTER
Frito-Lay, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 611243 — November 24, 2020 

Research - Desensitizing Children with Peanut Allergies Through Oral Immunotherapy

Research out of the University of British Columbia found that children with peanut allergies can be desensitized through "exposing children to a small, regular dose of an allergen (in this case, peanuts) in a real-world setting (outside of a clinical trial)" and this is "effective in reducing the risk of allergic reactions."  We are familiar with the process of preventing peanut allergies through the process of feeding infants doses of peanut allergen, but this is for those children who have developed peanut allergies.

"The treatment method, known as oral immunotherapy, involves gradually increasing the amount peanuts (or peanut products) given to the child. One treatment aim is to reach desensitization, whereby the child can ingest a full serving of peanuts without triggering a dangerous reaction. Another goal is protection in the event of an accidental exposure, and lessening or eliminating the need for epinephrine injections in response to reactions. To sustain their level of immunity, the child must continue to eat peanut products on a regular basis."

University of British Columbia

https://news.ubc.ca/2020/12/03/peanut-allergy-treatment-significantly-lowers-risk-of-life-threatening-reactions-in-preschoolers/
Peanut allergy treatment significantly lowers risk of life-threatening reactions in preschoolers
Science, Health & Technology
Dec 3, 2020 | For more information, contact Kerry Blackadar