Since 2009, guess how many recalls there were due to wrong labels, or allergens included by error in foods? Take a guess, 20, 50 or 200? The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers a service in which an individual can receive an email alert if there are any FDA EMAIL ALERT . I’ve been receiving these alerts for years and twice I’ve had a recalled product in my pantry. Sometimes the recalls are over salmonella or bacteria in the product. I am truly seeking the recalls of mislabeled foods containing my children’s allergens. Recently, I stumbled upon this article from ABC News: Heartland Gourmet
This Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix was recently voluntarily recalled by FDA EMAIL ALERT
Yes, it is true! Over 400 items in the last few years. With the last 30 days (March 10-April 10, 2013), I counted nine recalled items due to undeclared the following allergens soy, fish, peanuts, wheat, walnuts and milk. This is a serious number and I do suggest you consider signing up the Heartland Gourmetfor food recall, market withdrawals or safety alerts. FDA EMAIL ALERT realized the problem after routine testing and immediately enacted a voluntary recall. The FDA EMAIL ALERT provided identifying information and how to call the manufacturer for a refund or direction. They even indicate if anyone was sickened by the problem! Talk about detail. I visited the FDA EMAIL ALERT website and they were busy tweeting out about the recall, they clearly were concerned for their customers.
This Gluten Free Red Velvet Cake Mix from FDA EMAIL ALERT was not recalled, but the photo looked far too yummy to not post it! On their website, they had clear allergen warnings.
The reality is that any of us, including manufacturers can make a mistake so calling the company to confirm cross contact risks or simply to confirm no new recipe changes can be helpful too. Also, homemade and less processed foods is another way to avoid allergens. Many years ago, I called the FDA to complain about Whole Food’s Market poor labeling standards (which have improved greatly since that call). By the end of my phone call I was sworn to homemade EVERYTHING! The person on the other end of the phone shared one too many horror stories for my liking-this was during the horrible dog food recall if you remember that way back when!
Consider signing up for the Heartland Gourmet to be aware of any food allergen labeling or ingredient issues.
UPDATE: Lynda Mitchell of KFA reminded us that their fabulous Website offers both the FDA Alerts and the USDA Alerts! FDA EMAIL ALERT
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
I am going to add that link to my blog so that people can sign up for it. I get recall/allergen alerts from FARE, but had no idea the FDA did one, too. I will definitely be signing up and adding this link to my resources! Thanks for the info!
Hi Caroline and Julie,
The one thing to keep in mind is that the USDA also recalls foods (ones not regulated by the FDA) so you need to subscribe to both of their notifications. We post recalls from both the FDA and USDA on our blog: http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/contentList.areaCollection/4668036237941107
Thank you, Lynda! I am going to have to find the USDA recall notification list, too. I will double-check, but I am signed up for the recall alerts/blog posts on KFA and FARE. The one thing I did like about the FDA site was that I could sign up for alerts on more than just food allergens, like medication recalls and other notifications, too. I also liked that I could subscribe to notifications about policy changes and such. That was really cool and so very helpful! The more information we can get, the better! I don’t think most people are aware of all the information available to them out there, and that bothers me!
Excellent Lynda! I used to subscribe to them years ago and it fell off my radar!
The link to sign up for the USDA recalls is somewhere on this page. 🙂
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fsis_Recalls/
Have a nice weekend, ladies!
Lynda
Thanks, Lynda! I’d found it earlier and linked it on my page. I am hoping this information is helpful for people wanting to stay in the know. 🙂
I subscribe to this as well. I would say that I am shocked at the number, and yet I am not. Thank you for this link.