The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of a popular meal topping sold nationwide through mail orders and at Colorado retail stores.
“It was discovered that the egg and milk product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of eggs or milk,” FDA officials said. “Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes.”
Ingredients listed on the label include tapioca starch, oat flour, potato starch, tapioca syrup, olive oil, turbinado sugar, yeast, xanthan gum, sea salt, cider vinegar, calcium carbonate, and enzymes.
“Production facilities need to ensure their hazard analysis and critical control points (HAACP) systems are updated with the best practices and all staff are trained on implementing them,” registered dietitian nutritionist Tiffany Bruno told NTD. “With AI increasingly taking over, it may minimize the risk of human error, but it also means a human isn’t there to detect a mechanical failure. More real-time monitoring might be needed by qualified humans to oversee automated processes.”
VH Foods company leaders did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
The recall is applicable to 8-ounce pouches of the food item that have the UPC 873899001554 and are stamped with an expiration date of May 20, 2026, on the bottom.
This was an isolated incident occurring on one production date, according to the FDA alert, and no illnesses have been reported so far.
The FDA urged consumers who purchased the garnishment to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Last year, another bread crumb food item was recalled due to concerns that it may be contaminated with bacteria.
Possible Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) contamination led Newly Weds Foods to recall its bread crumb products contained in Reser’s Fine Foods Ham Salad and Molly’s Kitchen Ham Salad.
