On the heels of several major meat recalls, another company is removing products—this time for a different reason.
More Than 7,500 Pounds of Meat, Poultry and Fish Products Have Been Recalled In 2 States
Published on Oct. 30, 2024
People with food allergies know the importance of carefully reviewing product labels to ensure something is safe to eat or drink, which is why undeclared ingredients can be a particularly worrisome prospect. After several high-risk food recalls this month, today diet-sensitive Americans have another grocery product to check closely as one company is suddenly withdrawing thousands of pounds of their meat, poultry, and fish products for this very reason.
On October 29, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that 7,630 pounds of frozen meat croquette products made by A Tu Gusto, LLC, a Florida-based firm, are under recall. The compromised items were produced and distributed without federal inspection and appear to contain undeclared allergens, including soy, sesame seed, and wheat. The items were reportedly sent to distributors, retailers, and restaurants in two states: Florida and Texas. (Based on the information available, it may be possible that they were distributed beyond Florida and Texas.)
According to the FSIS announcement, four items were affected by the recall. All were 32-ounce boxes of “A Tu Gusto Paladar Croquetas,” but each was made with a different type of meat: chicken, sausage, fish, and ham. Products bearing all expiration dates are included in the recall. Images of the product labels are available on the USDA site.
The problem was discovered during routine surveillance activities, when FSIS noticed labeling irregularities on those products. They determined that the USDA mark of inspection, which contained the establishment number “EST. 11154” was wrongly used by the company. “The plant associated with ‘11154’ had no knowledge it was being used by the recalling firm,” the FSIS notes, adding: “After further investigation it was determined that the items were produced at a facility that does not have a grant of inspection and contained allergens not declared on the product label. Therefore, the items were produced without the benefit of FSIS inspection and are mislabeled.”
The recall is labeled as a Class I risk level, indicating that FSIS believes the incident could cause serious adverse health reactions or death.
The Mayo Clinic notes that for those with food allergies, consuming even a small portion of contaminated food can pose a grave threat: “Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger symptoms such as hives, swollen airways and digestive problems. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.”
At the time of the announcement, there have been no confirmed adverse reactions related to the recalled meat products. However, the uninspected items have a six-month shelf life, and FSIS is “concerned” that the products could be in restaurants, stores, and homes.
If you have any of the items in your possession, experts advise you should throw them away immediately. Consult a medical professional if you believe you are experiencing adverse health effects related to the recall.
More instructions are available in the links above on what to do if you are affected by this recall.
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