Undeclared Allergen Results In Massive Recall

By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online

This incident demonstrates the necessity for consistent allergen monitoring and labeling, carefully-vetted suppliers, and the importance of traceability along every step of the food chain.

This recall is what traceability is all about. A single supplier neglected to declare potentially deadly peanut allergens in cumin products. This has caused a third-party supplier to issue a recall, with hundreds of thousands of pounds of products being affected.

It all started the day after Christmas when Adams Flavors, Foods & Ingredients of Gonzales, TX became aware that a third-party supplier was in receipt of tainted cumin. Adams’ products, easily one of the most-recognizable names in spices, are available nationwide in retail stores and online. Adams’ spices are also utilized nationally to flavor any number of fresh, raw, and fully-cooked products. This recall demonstrates how a large, nationally-recognized brand, such as Adams, is dependent upon the diligence of its raw-ingredient suppliers to prevent a rolling recall.

At this time, three separate Texas firms, in addition to Adams, have issued recalls. This comes at a particularly dangerous time. The holiday season sees many of these products being utilized at a time when TV news watching is at a minimum. Key individuals are not available to manage the recall and media coverage is not optimal. No medical emergencies or illnesses have been reported to date, though many of these products may currently be in consumers’ pantries and freezers.

Adams’ Recall Includes:

Adams Chili Powder, UPC 041313017224, 2.82 oz (80g), Best Buy Dates: 9/23/2016, 10/27/2016, and 10/28/2016

Adams Chili Powder, UPC 0413130172317, 0.48 oz (212g), Best Buy Dates: 10/3/2016 and 10/27/2016

Adams Ground Cumin, UPC 041313019525, 2.82 oz (80g), Best Buy Dates: 9/23/2016, 9/24/2016, 10/7/2016, 11/11/2016, and 12/5/2016

Adams Ground Cumin, UPC 041313019532,                6.70 OZ (190g), Best Buy Dates: 11/7/2016 and 12/18/2016

Adams Ground Cumin, UPC 041313023126, 16 oz (454g), Best Buy Date: 8/26/2016

Adams Chili Powder, UPC 041313023522, 16.82 oz (477g), Best Buy Dates: 10/7/2016, 10/8/2016, 12/10/2016, and 12/11/2016

Adams Menudo Seasoning, UPC 041313023720, 18 oz (511g), Best Buy Date: 10/22/2016

Adams Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, UPC 041313023812, 5.26 oz (149g), Best Buy Date:  10/16/2016

Adams Brisket Rub, UPC 041313024338, 13.47 oz (382g), Best Buy Date: 9/30/2016

Adams Brisket Rub, UPC 041313024345, 32 oz (908g), Best Buy Date: 9/30/2016

Adams Multi Seasoning, UPC 041313024888, 39 oz (1115g) & 30 oz (851.25g), Best Buy Dates:  9/30/2016 & 10/27/2016 respectively (This info came from both the Adams site and the FDA recall though the UPC code may differ on one of these products)

Adams Reserve Southwestern Rub, UPC 041313045746, 4.79 oz (136g), Best Buy Date: 14288

Adams Reserve Jamaican Jerk Rub, UPC 041313045876, 7.41 oz (210g), Best Buy Date: 14330

Earl Campbell Rib Rub, UPC 742955834612               , 10oz (283.5g), Best Buy Date: 9/30/2014

Consumers may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or may contact Adams at (512) 359-3059 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Standard Time on Monday through Friday. The FDA Press Release states that more information is also available on Adams’ website, though as of this writing, no further information appears to be available. 

Adams’ recall prompted the following Texas firms to issue recalls the following day, December 27.

Garcia Foods, out of San Antonio, TX, issued a Class I recall for approximately 190,450 pounds of raw pork products produced between October 5 and December 24, 2014. The recall includes vacuum-packed, 12-oz. raw pork sausage link pieces and 8-oz raw pork sausage chubs, all shipped to retail locations within the state of TX. The products bear HILL COUNTRY FARE CHORIZO labeling and the establishment number, “EST 13205A” inside the USDA inspection mark.

HEB Meat Center, also out of San Antonio, TX is recalling about 83,666 pounds of pork products for the same undeclared allergens. The products were produced between October 16 and December 26, 2014 and are all in random weight packages bearing these labels. The packages are vacuum-packed in clear trays or packages and were shipped to retail HEB stores in the state of TX, though may not bear the HEB label. The products all bear the establishment number, “EST. 7231” inside the USDA inspection mark. The products include Pork Chorizo, HEB Mi Comida Chorizo Pork Chorizo, and SEASONED MEXICAN STYLE PORK FOR CARNE AL PASTOR.

A Dallas establishment, J & B Sausage Co, is also caught in the fray. It has issued a recall on chicken and beef products produced between August 25 and December 15, 2014. All products will bear the establishment number “EST. 7066” or “EST. P-7066” inside the USDA inspection mark.  Shipped to HEB retail locations and to the Garland Independent School District near Dallas, TX, the following products are affected:

• Chefs-In-A-Bag CHICKEN TACO FILLING, fully cooked in 5-lb packages
• HEB FULLY COOKED Texas Style BEEF CHILI No Beans in 1-lb packages
• HEB FULLY COOKED Taqueria Style PICADILLO Seasoned Ground Beef with Potatoes, Onion, Tomatoes and Peppers in 1-lb packages
• HEB FULLY COOKED CARNE GUISADA Seasoned Beef in Gravy in 1-lb packages

Considering the length of time these products have been on the market, it is somewhat remarkable that no illnesses or medical emergencies have been reported. It is important to remember though, that mild reactions may have gone unreported. It is also difficult to attribute an allergic reaction to a hidden ingredient, such as a spice, unless the allergen is declared on the label. Undeclared allergens are, by far, the reason for the majority of class I recalls. Cumin, what would seem to be an innocuous spice, was evidently processed, stored, or transported in close proximity to peanut proteins. Cumin is made from the seeds of a plant related to parsley and is usually ground; it would not normally be associated with peanut proteins at all.

This recall could have been prevented. There are numerous, relatively inexpensive testing methods available, such as DNA-based, immunochemical, and mass spectrometry. There are also many other ways in which to avoid allergen recalls; thereby safeguarding your own brand, as well as the brands that depend upon you.