Concerns of potentially fatal allergic reactions have been sparked nationwide following a candy recall.
The FDA shared a voluntary recall announcement from Apple Valley, Minnesota’s Abdallah Candies to its website on Monday. The recall concerns “limited quantities” of the company’s “sea salt almond alligators,” which were mislabeled as “chocolate covered cherries” and marked with the code “0315” on the bottom of the box.
Due to the mislabeling, the affected boxes contain the undeclared ingredient almonds, which could cause the sometimes fatal condition anaphylaxis in those with tree nut allergies. Abdallah Candies said that boxes of the mislabeled confections had been distributed throughout the country between March 1 and March 29.
“The products have a chocolate covered cherries label with code 0315 on the bottom of the box,” the company’s announcement states. “The boxes do contain sea salt almond alligators but have an incorrect ingredient label.”
“Sea salt almond alligators contain almonds as an ingredient, which was not declared on the ingredient label,” it continues. “People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”
The announcement goes on to say that the candies were “sold in specialty retail stores, grocery stores, and other retail outlets” across the country. While no associated illnesses had been reported at the time of publication, those in possession of the mislabeled products were urged “not to eat any product” and instead “destroy or return the product to the place of purchase.”
Images of the affected boxes were shared alongside the announcement, with the code “0315” clearly visible on the back of the box to the left of the “nutrition facts” label. Consumers with additional questions about the recall were asked to call Abdallah Candies at 952-890-4770 or 800-348-7328 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central time from Monday to Friday.
Newsweek reached out for comment to the FDA via email on Tuesday.
A similar allergy-based voluntary recall was issued days earlier for macaron cookies sold at U.S. locations of the German discount supermarket chain Lidl, while a California company also recalled packages of mini ice cream bars over concerns that the sweet treats could contain the dangerous pathogen salmonella.
While deaths caused by allergic reactions to undeclared ingredients in food products are rare, they are far from unheard of and recalls are frequently issued in an attempt to prevent fatalities. The products may be safe to consume for those without allergies but still pose a risk due to the possibility of a person eating the products while being unaware of the mislabeling.
In January, a recall was issued for Florentine cookies sold by the northeastern supermarket chain Stew Leonard’s following the death of a woman who experienced a severe allergic reaction after eating cookies in New York City without realizing that they contained undeclared peanuts.
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