Almond Allergy AlertOctober 19, 2012Gilster-Mary Lee of Chester, Illinois, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Fruit Whirls cereal because it contains undeclared almond butter.  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 only brand involved is Better Valu Fruit Whirls Ready to Eat Cereal, packaged in 28-oz. plastic bags which has a Best By date of JUL 17 13 J8 (UPC# 79801-24630).  The code is located on the lower left corner of the back of the package, below the Nutrition Facts and Ingredient Declaration Panel. Consumers should return the product to the store for a full refund or discard it.

The product was distributed between July 24, 2012 and October 16, 2012 to retail stores located in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. became aware of the mis-packaging after receiving a customer complaint.  Investigation into the complaint confirmed some bags of the Fruit Whirls inadvertently contained Honey Nut Toasted Oats cereal.   No illnesses have been reported in connection with this cereal.

For questions, consumers can call Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. at 618-826-2361 ext. 3283 or 417-781-7777 ext. 4835 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CDT, Monday through Friday.

Sam’s Club Chunky Cinnamon Streusel Milk & Soy Allergy Alert

September 10, 2012

Dawn Food Products, Inc. of Jackson, Michigan is recalling 251, 25-pound buckets of Sam’s Club Chunky Cinnamon Streusel because it may contain undeclared milk and soy allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to specific type of allergens may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Those who suffer with dairy allergies, lactose intolerance, or a lactase deficiency, aren’t able to fully digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy products. It’s usually not dangerous, but symptoms of lactose intolerance can be uncomfortable.

The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Bloating
  • Gas

Sam’s Club Chunky Cinnamon Streusel was distributed from July 23, 2012 to September 7, 2012 in Sam’s Club distribution centers in California, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.  The product is sold in 25-pound round, white plastic pails identified with the following lot codes on the lower left corner of the label:

2-203-19-81             2-203-19-82             2-203-19-83

2-223-19-01             2-223-19-02             2-223-19-03

2-223-19-04             2-236-19-83             2-236-19-84

2-236-19-87

The product expiration dates are:  1-17-2013; 2-06-2013 and 2-19-2013.

No illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after Dawn Foods determined that the product contains milk and soy and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of these allergens.

Consumers who have purchased Sam’s Club Chunky Cinnamon Streusel are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the Dawn Foods consumer hotline at 1-800-292-1362, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST.