Pasta Salad Recalled Due to Mislabeling
A pasta salad product distributed in South Carolina has been recalled after federal officials determined that it was mislabeled and may contain undeclared allergens.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Reser’s Fine Foods, based in Halifax, North Carolina, is recalling approximately 5,300 pounds of the ready-to-eat product because of misbranding and undeclared egg and milk.
According to the agency, the product is labeled as “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad,” but some containers may actually contain chicken salad. The chicken salad contains egg and milk, both of which are major food allergens that were not listed on the pasta salad label.
The recalled product was packaged in 5-pound plastic tubs and produced June 11. It was distributed to retailers and distributors in South Carolina as well as Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The company notified the USDA after discovering the labeling problem. The Food Safety and Inspection Service is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators.
No illnesses or adverse reactions linked to the recalled product have been reported. However, consumers with an allergy or sensitivity to egg or milk could face a potentially serious health risk if they eat the product.
Consumers who purchased the recalled pasta salad should check the packaging before eating it. People with egg or milk allergies should not consume the product if they are unable to verify that it is not affected by the recall.
The recall is the latest in a series of food safety actions affecting products sold in South Carolina. Two other products were recalled in July after being distributed to grocery stores in the state.
Common Reasons for Mislabeling Recalls
- Undeclared allergens: Products may contain milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish or shellfish that aren’t listed on the label.
- Wrong product in the package: A container labeled as one food may actually contain another product with different ingredients.
- Incorrect ingredient lists: The label may omit an ingredient or provide outdated information.
- Packaging mix-ups: Similar-looking products can receive the wrong labels during production.
- Incorrect nutritional information: Errors involving calories, serving sizes or nutritional values can also lead to recalls.
- Missing or incorrect statements: Products may lack required information such as allergen declarations or other labeling requirements.
Mislabeling can create a serious safety issue. A pasta salad containing chicken salad might be safe for most consumers, but if the chicken salad contains milk or eggs that are not disclosed on the package, people with allergies could unknowingly consume an allergen.
Contact Us Today
Mislabeling of a food product may not be a huge deal to some people, but listing incorrect ingredients is a serious mistake that can be deadly to those who have food allergies.
If you have become injured or ill due to a product or marketing defect, contact a Columbia products liability lawyer from Simmons Law Firm. We can evaluate what happened, who is responsible, and what your claim is worth. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (803) 779-4600.
Source:
thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article317007303.html
