Mars Issues Class I Recall Of TWIX Candy

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

Mislabeling — especially involving allergens such as peanuts and eggs — can have deadly consequences

On Saturday, September 6, Mars Chocolate North America announced its voluntary recall of approximately 25 cases of its TWIX Brand UnWrapped Bites in 7-ounce, Stand-up Pouches. Bearing the code date: 421BA4Ga60, the cases were distributed to warehouses in the states of IN, OR, TN, and TX. The individual packages are gold-colored, metallized pouches with an expiration date of 3/2015 stamped on the back.

Though the recall itself may seem like a trivial amount of product, the threat for serious illness, and even death, is immeasurable. In addition to milk, peanuts, and eggs are listed in the top eight deadliest food allergies. Some people are so sensitive to peanuts that even sharing tight quarters with someone who has eaten peanuts can cause a life-threatening reaction. Touching a surface that someone with peanut residue on their hands has previously touched can send a child to the Emergency Room. Schools have peanut-free zones in their lunchrooms and some schools ban all peanut products completely due to the highly sensitive nature of the allergy in some children.

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A Class I Recall is of the utmost importance as it is issued when consuming a product could conceivably result in adverse health consequences or death. Class I violations are a threat to the public health and injurious to commerce. Public Law 108-282, Title II, also known as the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA), addresses this issue. Between 1990 and 2000, the number of recalls for undeclared allergens rose from 35 to 121, prompting this amendment to Section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343). FALCPA requires the allergen to be printed immediately adjacent to or after the ingredient list, and preceded by the word “Contains.” The purpose is to ensure the public can quickly identify food allergens, especially those responsible for 90 percent of food allergies:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree Nuts
• Wheat
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Soybeans

FSMA focuses on prevention as a means to combat foodborne illnesses, as do Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs). The CGMP for allergen controls discusses the necessity to control circumstances which could potentially result in cross contamination. It clearly addresses the importance of label controls, label reviews, and employee training, as well as cleaning and sanitation of equipment utilized to process known allergens. FSMA’s Proposed Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food includes the existing CGMP requirements for labeling. But still, industry struggles with these basic tenets, which leads the public to believe it doesn’t care.

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One disturbing fact is that in late November of last year, 80 tons of food was recalled for undeclared allergens and mislabeling. Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), has a list of 211 Allergy Alerts issued this year, and the trend continues to grow. Many of these recalls don’t make the news, being considered insignificant, either due to the amount of product involved or the size of the company, which may not rate the press.

However, the fact is, a severe allergic reaction is never insignificant. Anaphylaxis occurs amazingly quickly, is terrifying, and is potentially fatal. Consumers depend largely upon websites such as Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) and Kids With Food Allergies, a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), to monitor allergy alert recalls. This should not have to be on any person’s “to-do” list and is a poor substitute for corporate responsibility. The food processing industry CAN do better; we must do better to protect the public’s health.