FDA issues multiple recalls over ingredients that pose deadly risk

Health officials have issued multiple recalls this week of several foods that could pose a danger of deadly allergic reactions.

The FDA announced three separate recalls on its website over the last seven days, which are all currently in effect and eligible for returns and refunds.

In one case, tomato soups sold at small grocery stores across 14 states were pulled from shelves after they were found to contain milk, despite the allergen not being listed on the label.

About 30 to 50million Americans have a milk sensitivity, estimates suggest, which can cause digestive issues, hives and swelling. About 6.7million Americans have a milk allergy, which can lead to severe reactions including the life-threatening complication anaphylaxis.

In a separate recall, red lentil soups sold at H-E-B stores in Texas were also found to contain undeclared milk.

In a third case, monster cookies sold in two Minnesota cities were recalled because they were found to contain peanuts, eggs and soy that were not mentioned on the label.

About 6 million Americans have a peanut allergy, while 6 million are allergic to eggs and 1.9 million have a soy allergy. Sufferers who consume the substances could suffer from severe reactions, including anaphylaxis.

The FDA is urging consumers to check their refrigerators and pantries for affected products and to discard them immediately or return them to stores for a full refund.

Below, Daily Mail has detailed this week’s urgent recalls:

Grandma Belle’s Tomato Basil Soup

In the biggest recall this week, Lil’ Turtles, based in Ohio, raised the alarm over its Grandma Belle’s Tomato Basil Soup.

The soup, sold in 17oz glass jars, was found to contain milk that was not declared on the label, posing a risk of injury or death to people with a milk allergy or sensitivity.

It was not clear how many soup jars were recalled, but the soups were sold in 29 stores across 14 states. 

The soups were sold from September 2022 to December this year, the alert said.

The issue with the labels was only detected during a routine inspection by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. It was not clear how the error was made, but in similar unrelated cases, manufacturers have blamed ‘supplier error’.

There have been no reports of illness involving this product to date, the FDA said, but people who have an allergy to milk could suffer a serious allergic reaction if they consume the product.

The soups were sold in the following states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, Minnesota, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa. 

A full list of the stores in which they were sold is available on the FDA’s website.

Consumers are being advised to throw out the soups or contact the seller for a full refund.

L&B Monster Cookies

Minnesota-based Lunds and Byerlys has recalled its L&B Monster Cookies after they were found to contain an undeclared allergen.

In its announcement, the grocery store operator said the cookies contained peanuts, eggs and soy that were not listed on the label.

The cookies were available in stores in the Twin Cities and St Cloud since November 15.

Revealing the recall, the FDA said: ‘People who have allergies to peanuts, egg, and soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.’

No illnesses have been reported to date, and the FDA said concerns over the product were first raised by a store employee, who notified Lunds and Byerlys. 

Consumers are being urged to check their pantries for the cookies and to throw them out immediately.

Cookies that are subject to the recall have the UPC code, shown below the barcode, of 18169-66862.

Lunds and Byerlys said this is the UPC code for their Tex-Mex Turkey wrap that was ‘inadvertently’ applied to their Monster Cookies.

Red Lentil Dal Soup

Customers who shop at H-E-B stores in Texas are being warned to check their refrigerators amid an allergy warning over one of the chain’s soups.

Manufacturer Bakkavor, based in North Carolina, has recalled its Red Lentil Dal soup because it contains milk that has not been declared on the product label.

The FDA warned that it posed a risk to people who have a milk allergy, who could suffer a severe or life-threatening reaction from consuming the product. No illnesses have been reported to date. 

The soup was sold at H-E-B stores in the state from November 3 to December 8 this year. It is packaged in a clear plastic cup and has a best-by date of January 11 next year.

The FDA said the recall was ordered after a customer contacted the company to say that the container labeled Meal Simple Red Lentil Dal Soup contained a poultry and rice soup.

An internal investigation found that this soup contained milk as an ingredient, which is not included in Meal Simple Red Lentil Dal Soup and is not mentioned on the product label.

An investigation into how the soups were incorrectly packaged is ongoing.

Customers who have purchased the soup are being urged to throw it out immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.