Mars Issues Class I Recall For Potentially Deadly Allergen
By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online
Undeclared peanut butter on M&M’s Milk Chocolate Theater Box could have been prevented with more stringent HACCP procedures
Mars of North America has voluntarily issued a recall of M&M’s Brand Theater Box candies. Peanut butter, a potentially-deadly allergen, may be inside the 3.40-ounce packages of M&M’s Brand Theater Boxes. The Theater Box is a cardboard container measuring three inches by six and a half inches, and containing an inner bag of M&M’s. The outside packaging is said to be incorrect, not listing the peanut allergen. However, the inside packaging does list peanut butter as an ingredient. The possibility exists for a person to ingest the allergen if assuming the outside packaging is correct and allergen-free and by not reading the interior packaging label. The mislabeling was reported by a consumer who discovered a package of M&M’s Brand Peanut Butter candies inside an M&M’s Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box.
No adverse reactions have been reported to date, though these products were distributed to customers’ warehouses between May 8 and July 1, 2014 in 38 states. Distributors in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WV re-distribute these products for retail sale nationwide. All of the boxes will contain the UPC Code 40000294764 with the following lot numbers stamped on the right hand side panel:
- 417DH4JP09, 417EG4JP09, 417EG4JP10, 417EM4JP10, 417FG4JP09, 417FG4JP10, 417FM4JP09, 417FM4JP10
- 418AG4JP09, 418AG4JP10, 418AM4JP09, 418AM4JP10, 418BG4JP10, 418BM4JP10, 418CG4JP09, 418CG4JP10, 418CM4JP10, 418DG4JP10, 418DM4JP09, 418DM4JP10, 418EG4JP09, 418EG4JP10, 418EM4JP09, 418EM4JP10
- 419AM4JP09, 419AM4JP10, 419BM4JP10
It is estimated that food allergies impact up to 15 million Americans. One in 13 children under the age of 18, equating to about two children per classroom, has a food allergy. Teenagers and young adults experience the highest risk of fatal anaphylaxis due to eating a known allergen, with those with asthma having an even higher risk. What are the chances a child, teenager, or young adult could have possibly had an allergic reaction to produce shipped three to four months ago?
Mislabeling is a fairly common occurrence in the food industry. Most recently Mars issued a recall of TWIX, Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream recalled 10,000 cartons, and ConAgra recalled 55,000 pounds of Healthy Choice Soup in 23 states. Prevention is simply a matter of due-diligence. By having an effective Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan in place, the issue of mislabeling could be discovered prior to the product ever leaving the plant. Identify the labeling process as a Critical Control Point (CPP); ascertain the exact point where labeling and the product come together. This is probably done during set-up for production. However, any small change in the production schedule can easily result in mislabeling. To prevent it, identify the CPP, designate a responsible party or parties, ensure the practice is followed to the letter through a verification process, and keep that paperwork in order.
The eight major food allergens have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many incidents will go unreported, as those knowingly afflicted will be treated as soon as presenting with anaphylaxis symptoms. Some victims will respond to an epinephrine injection, the primary way to treat anaphylaxis. However, a reaction can be so severe that the epinephrine is ineffective. It is also true that food allergies can occur at any time. A child may not be allergic to peanuts yesterday, but can have a severe reaction today. A parent will be asked to provide the packaging if anaphylaxis is suspected. Medical personnel must be able to determine exactly what was ingested. It is critical the packaging is correct. Even one hospitalization due to mislabeling cannot be acceptable and the thought of one death due to such an easily preventable occurrence is inexcusable.
Mars Chocolate is working with its retail customers to ensure the product is removed from store shelves. Any consumers who have purchased this item and cannot consume it due to allergy concerns can return it to the store of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions can call Mars’ toll free number: (800) 627-7852 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.