More than 10,000 pounds of pork and beef items are being pulled out from U.S. stores by two companies, citing concerns about the presence of milk allergens and a lack of regulatory inspection. Affected states include Delaware, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma-based Ralph’s Packing Company is withdrawing roughly 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna, citing “misbranding and an undeclared allergen,” said a Dec. 20 recall notice published by the U.S. Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
On the same day, Maryland-based Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. announced a recall, pulling out roughly 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products off the market.
Ralph’s Packing products were recalled as the items “may contain milk,” which was not declared on the product label. The FDA classifies milk as one of the nine major food allergens in the United States.
“While most symptoms from food allergies are mild and limited to skin or digestive discomfort, some may progress to a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis,” the agency warns.
During anaphylaxis, airways constrict, leading to suffocation, and combined with severe lowering of blood pressure, the individual suffers from shock.
The recalled products are “CIRCLE R BRAND GARLIC BOLOGNA” with and without jalapenos sold in 16 oz. or larger sizes.
“These items were shipped to retail and foodservice locations in Oklahoma. Some products may have been sliced and sold at retail deli counters,” said the notice.
So far, there haven’t been any confirmed reports of people suffering from adverse reactions after consuming the recalled items.
The Impero Foods pork sausages were recalled as they were produced without being subject to FSIS inspection.
The products were packaged in 10 lb. white cardboard box cases, containing a plastic bag with the label “Old World Italian Sausage” and either “rope” or “link” written on the case, the recall notice said.
Manufactured between Oct. 3 and Dec. 19, “these items were shipped to restaurants and retail locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Some products may have been sold at retail deli counters without labels.”
FSIS asked consumers who bought the recalled items to avoid eating them. Businesses should not serve or sell the products if they have it in stock, the agency said. The food must be discarded or returned back to the place where it was bought.
People who have already eaten the products and are worried about a reaction or illness should contact a health care expert, the agency advised.
Recall Over Milk Allergen
Grocery store chain Lidl US announced a recall on Friday citing undeclared milk allergen, withdrawing all lots of its “Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables” 10.5 oz. box.
The items were sold via Lidl U.S. stores in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. They were manufactured between Oct. 21, 2023, and Dec. 19. 2024.
An FDA inspection found that product labels did not mention milk in their ingredient list. This led to the recall.
“People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products,” the notice said.
According to the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a charity organization, an allergy to cow’s milk is the “most common food allergy in infants and young children.”
“When a person with a milk allergy is exposed to milk, proteins in the milk bind to specific IgE [Immunoglobulin E] antibodies made by the person’s immune system,” FARE said.
“This triggers the person’s immune defenses, leading to reaction symptoms that can be mild or very severe.”
In addition to milk, some of the food items that people with such allergies must avoid include butter, curd, yogurt, cream, ghee, custard, sour cream, lactose, pudding, and cheese.
From The Epoch Times
