On September 7th, 2011, Deer Brand “Raisin Golden” by Best Food Cash and Carry Incorporated was recalled due to an allergy alert. There is undeclared sulfite in the product, giving risk for sensitivities and life-threatening allergic reactions. Only a small amount of sulfites are needed to spur a reaction in sensitive individuals. These allergies are the reasons for tight labeling laws demanding all ingredients and inclusions be listed in the product packaging labels.
Packaging
The Deer Brand “Raisin Golden” products have been distributed throughout the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut states. They are shipped in a fourteen-ounce package with a clear uncoded plastic. This lack of a code means that there is not a way to distinguish it by lot numbers or other codes that could alert consumers to whether their product is among the recalled items. Typically, with other product recalls, there is a way to narrow it down to a specific day or batch number where the problem began and recall only those lot numbers or codes. With Best Food Cash and Carry Incorporated's Deer Brand "Raisin Golden" there is not that method of recalling due to their lack of coding system. Perhaps this will spawn them implementing the coding method.
Initial Sampling
The recall has been sparked after sampling that is done routinely by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspector. Analysis of the Food Laboratory personnel showed the presence of sulfites in the product. These sulfites are not listed on the label, violating the Food and Drug Administration’s labeling system. Eating only 10 milligrams of sulfites for a person with these food allergies can give severe reactions. This can include anaphylactic shock, a potential life-threatening severe allergy where the throat and tongue swells and the blood pressure drops deathly low.
Refunds
Those that have a 14-ounce package of Deer Brand “Raisin Golden” are asked to return them to the store which they purchased them from for a full refund of the purchase price. If there are questions about the product, consumers are asked to call the company at 718-786-8961.
Anyone in that tri-state area who still has this product are advised to contact their store of purchase or Best Food Cash and Carry Incorporated. Since there is no coding, all product will need to be destroyed and new product be relabeled to show this potential allergy warning.
Source: FDA Recalls
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm271141.htm
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
