WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2002 – ConAgra Grocery
Products Co., an Archbold, Ohio, establishment, is voluntarily recalling
approximately 408,000 pounds of canned soup because it contains an
undeclared allergen – whey protein (milk) – and is incorrectly
labeled, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection
Service announced today.
Whey protein is a known allergen. Persons who have an allergy or severe
sensitivity to whey protein run the risk of possible allergic reactions if
they consume this product.
The product being recalled is 15-ounce cans of "HEALTHY CHOICE OLD
FASHIONED Chicken Noodle SOUP," which actually contain 15-ounces of
turkey and rice soup. The top of each can is embossed with a package code
beginning with "15EN" followed by another number (1-8). The top
of each can also bears the establishment code "P91."
The canned soup was produced on May 14, 2001 and distributed to retail
establishments nationwide. The soup was also exported to Anguilla,
Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Curacao, Dominican Republic,
Granada, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Malaysia, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Samoa,
St. Croix, St. Thomas, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
"We urge consumers, especially those with known food allergies or
sensitivities, to check their cupboards and pantries," said Margaret
O’K. Glavin, acting FSIS administrator. "If they find the product
listed above, consumers with allergies to whey protein should not eat it,
but return it to the point of purchase."
ConAgra identified the labeling problem after receiving several
consumer complaints. Further investigation by the company’s Quality
Assurance determined that this mislabeled product contained an undeclared
allergen. ConAgra then notified FSIS of the problem.
Consumers with questions about the recall may contact ConAgra’s
consumer hotline at (800) 233-7022. Media with questions may contact Kay
Carpenter, Corporate Communications, at (949) 437-1144.
Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat
and Poultry Hotline at l-800-535-4555. The hotline can be reached from l0
a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday, and recorded food
safety messages are available 24 hours a day.
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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov |
| FOOD ALLERGIES Consumers who have a food allergy or severe food sensitivity should always
read ingredient labels. In restaurants, they should ask whether an allergy-causing
ingredient is in the food.
A food allergy occurs when the immune
system reacts to a certain food, usually within minutes after the food has been consumed.
Symptoms may include throat swelling,
trouble breathing, or a rash.
Strictly avoiding the allergy-causing food
is the only absolute way to avoid a reaction.
Several foods account for 90% of allergic
reactions. They include peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), fish, shellfish, eggs,
milk, soy, and wheat.
Persons who have a severe, life-threatening
food allergy should always carry, and know how to administer, prescription epinephrine. |
