Milk and Walnut Allergy Alert: Tropical Valley Foods Inc.

5/17/2013
May 16, 2013 – Tropical Valley Foods Inc. of Plattsburgh, NY, is recalling next by Nature DARK CHOCOLATE BANANAS, 3 oz. bags, due to undeclared milk and walnuts. People who have an allergy to milk and/or walnuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The affected next by Nature DARK CHOCOLATE BANANAS was sold to distributors in Michigan, Oregon, Colorado, and New Jersey between the dates of January 3rd 2013 and January 10th 2013 for distribution to their retail customers. Distributors where notified to inform their customers of the recall of the product, to immediately remove it from sale and discarded it. The affected product is packaged in 3 oz. bags with UPC 8 17582 25600 4 and “Best by Date” of 12/18/2013 and 12/19/2013. The recall was initiated after a retail store notified Tropical Valley Foods that Dark Chocolate Walnuts were found in bags labeled as Dark Chocolate Bananas. Subsequent investigation revealed that some Dark Chocolate Covered Walnuts were miss-packaged into bags labeled as Dark Chocolate Bananas by the chocolate coater. Further label review revealed that the product also contains undeclared Milk (from a sub-ingredient of the chocolate coating). No illnesses have been reported to date associated with this problem. Customers who purchased the affected product may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Tropical Valley Foods at (518) 314-7162, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EDT.

 

Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Alert: Hannaford Supermarkets

5/13/2013
May 6, 2013 – Hannaford Supermarkets is recalling two products sold in the bakery section because they may contain nuts that are not listed on the product packaging label. Individuals who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to any nuts may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction should they consume these items. The affected items are: Hannaford Gourmet Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (9 oz. package, UPC # 0004126872715) Hannaford Gourmet Cookie Platter (36 oz. package, UPC # 04126874662) Hannaford received a consumer report that the product may contain nuts. Hannaford Supermarkets is based in Scarborough, Maine, and operates 181 stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts. All affected products have been removed from store shelves. Consumers may return the product to any Hannaford store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (800) 213-9040.

 

Updated Wheat, Egg and Milk Allergy Alert: Smart & Final

5/12/2013
May 10, 2013 – Smart & Final of Los Angeles, Calif., which previously announced a recall of certain production dates of 2.5 lb – La Romanella Tri-Color Cheese Tortellini, is expanding its recall to include additional production dates due to undeclared wheat, eggs and milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat, eggs and /or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The expanded recall is in addition to products recalled on April 25, 2013. The product is in a 2.5 pound plastic bag, additional lot codes: 062612, 071712, 91412, 100212, 101312, 101512, 101612, 111912, 120112, 120312, 010813, 011813, 012813. Previous recalled lot codes: 020713, 022513, 031113, 031813, 031913 and 040313. The UPC number is 728920130026. Product was distributed to California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada and sold through Smart & Final stores or Cash & Carry stores. No reports of injury or illness have been received to date. This recall was initiated after it was discovered that the label failed to contain an ingredient statement. Consumers who have purchased this product may return the product to the store where it was purchased for a replacement or a refund. Consumers with questions may contact Smart & Final’s consumer relations at (800) 894-0511, Monday through Friday, or visit our website at: http://www.smartandfinal.com/products/productrecalls.aspx.

 

Almond, Soy, and Coconut Allergy Alert: Dairy Fresh

5/10/2013
Winston Salem, NC (May 9, 2013) – Dairy Fresh is voluntarily recalling a specific batch of IGA Brand “Vanilla & Chocolate” Ice Cream (1.75 quart, 1.66L) with the plant code “3783” and a SELL BY date of 08-13-13 because it incorrectly contains Heavenly Hash ice cream, which contains almonds, coconut, and soy, which are allergens not declared on the carton. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds, coconut, or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The company is aware of one consumer who experienced an allergic reaction after consuming the product manufactured with the “SELL BY” date of 08-13-13. The company is not aware of any other complaint or illness to date related to this issue.   In an abundance of caution, the company is also recalling Vanilla & Chocolate ice cream dated between 06-08-13 and 08-27-13. The specific dates are listed below. A small number of Vanilla & Chocolate packages were inadvertently used when the company was producing Heavenly Hash ice cream. As a result, a consumer may purchase a Vanilla & Chocolate package that contains Heavenly Hash ice cream. This product is produced by the Dairy Fresh processing facility in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and is sold at IGA stores. Size Name Flavor UPC # Dates Plant Code 1.75 quart (1.66L) IGA Brand Vanilla & Chocolate 4127046131 Sell by: 06-08-13 07-19-13 08-02-13 08-13-13 08-27-13 3783 Consumers who purchased the product may discard it and return the product package to the place of purchase for a full refund or exchange. Consumers with questions can contact Dairy Fresh 1-800-587-2259 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM,Central Time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The known affected product has a “SELL BY” date of August 13, 2013, and was sold by IGA stores in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. In an abundance of caution, the company is recalling other Vanilla & Chocolate dated between 06-08-13 and 08-27-13. All Vanilla & Chocolate cartons carry the above referenced Universal Product Code (UPC) and plant code “3783.”

 

Soy and Egg Allergy Alert: Whole Foods Market

5/10/2013
May 9, 2013 – CAMBRIDGE, MA. – Whole Foods Market is recalling bulk curried chicken salad and bulk vegan curried chick’n salad because in some stores these items may have been sold with reversed labels causing undeclared soy and egg allergens. Due to the label mix-up, allergens were undeclared; the vegan chick’n salad contains soy, and the curried chicken salad contains egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. The products were for sale on 5/7/13 and 5/8/13. The curried chicken salad and the vegan curried chick’n salad were sold in the cold salad bars at the following 15 Whole Foods Market store locations: Darien, Connecticut Fairfield, Connecticut West Hartford, Connecticut Portland, Maine Framingham, Massachusetts Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Massachusetts Milburn-Union, New Jersey Montclair, New Jersey Rose City-Madison, New Jersey West Orange, New Jersey Jericho, New York Lake Grove, New York Manhasset, New York Columbus Circle in New York City Upper West Side in New York City No illnesses have been reported to date. Signage is posted in affected Whole Foods Market stores to notify customers of this recall, and all affected product has been removed from the salad bar. Consumers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market may return it to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact their local store or call 617-492-5500 between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST.

 

From all us at FARE, we want to thank the moms in our community

 

From all us at FARE, we want to thank the moms in our community for their tireless efforts to make the world a safe and inclusive place for children with food allergies.

Here are three ideas for how you can make Mother’s Day special for the extraordinary moms in your life: Make this recipe for French Toast Casserole with your family. It’s free of the top eight food allergens! Wish a Happy Mother’s Day to the wonderful mothers and grandmothers in your life by sending them a note of appreciation. If you know a mother who loves someone with food allergies, consider giving her the gift of membership to FARE.  We wish you and your family a wonderful Mother’s Day!

 

Are You Ready for Food Allergy Awareness Week?

Are You Ready for Food Allergy Awareness Week?

Food Allergy Awareness Week starts Sunday! Be sure to check out the downloadable materials on our Food Allergy Awareness Week page on our website, and stay tuned next week for more updates on how FARE is recognizing Food Allergy Awareness Week!

Allergy-Friendly Cooks – Here’s Your Chance To Appear On Chopped!

Allergy-Friendly Cooks – Here’s Your Chance To Appear On Chopped!

The producers of Chopped, the Food Network’s highest-rated cooking competition show, are looking for involved parents with great stories who have a passion for cooking! They are casting two special episodes and are interested in featuring a parent who lives with the challenges of cooking in a household with a child who has food allergies. They’re looking for applicants with or without professional culinary experience in the New York, Los Angeles, Nashville or Philadelphia areas. These special episodes will stay within the same format as a regular episode of Chopped — four chefs cook out of mystery baskets to compete for $10,000 — but will feature four moms and four dads, instead of four chefs. Click here to apply by May 16.

 

 

New CDC Report Documents Rise in Childhood Food Allergy

New CDC Report Documents Rise in Childhood Food Allergy

Food allergies among children increased by 50 percent from 1997-99 to 2009-11, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. There are very few studies that look at food allergy prevalence over time. This report adds to other studies that have indicated an increase in food allergy within the past two decades. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported in 2010 that between 2 and up to 10 percent of the population has food allergy. As FARE CEO John Lehr notes in a U.S. News & World Report article, the CDC’s report “reinforces the need for education and awareness about food allergies across the country.”

 

 

Walking Proudly in Cincinnati and Orlando

Walking Proudly in Cincinnati and Orlando

Our first FARE Walk for Food Allergy events of 2013 recently took place in Cincinnati and Orlando, raising approximately $55,000 and attracting nearly 800 walkers. Both events had great weather and a festive atmosphere. In Cincinnati, five area allergy practices participated – a fantastic representation in the community! We’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of the volunteers and supporters who helped make these events a success. This month, Walk for Food Allergy events will also take place in Santa Barbara, Calif., on May 11 and in Boise, Idaho on May 18. Walk with us, and help support food allergy education, advocacy, awareness and research programs. To form a team, register as an individual or donate, please visitwww.foodallergywalk.org.