A recall of chocolate truffles in 13 states due to potential undeclared allergens has been issued the highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Kilwins Quality Confections, LLC., based in Michigan, issued a voluntary recall for various Mocha Truffles products on June 25 due to the possible presence of undeclared pecans.
The FDA subsequently issued a Class 1 risk classification for the recall on July 17.
Newsweek reached out to Kilwins Quality Confections, LLC. for comment by email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
A Class I risk classification represents “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.
The FDA warned in its recall notice that individuals with a pecan allergy or severe sensitivity “run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”
Pecans are classified as tree nuts, which are one of the nine major food allergens as defined in law. The others are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.
Aviva Luttrell/MassLive.com/AP
What To Know
The products impacted by the recall include:
- Family Assortment 42oz – UPC code: 0 004567 4
- Family Assortment 28oz – UPC code: 0 004566 7
- Family Assortment 14oz – UPC code: 0 004565 0
- Family Assortment 9oz – UPC code: 0 004564 3
- Truffle Assortment 9.5oz – UPC code: 0 004574 0
- Truffle Assortment 8oz – UPC code: 0 043109 5
- Truffle Assortment 4.75oz – UPC code: 0 044121 8
- Mocha Truffles 4.75oz – UPC code: 0 043110 5
The affected products were distributed to North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Delaware, Michigan, New Hampshire, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and the District of Columbia, according to the FDA’s recall update notice.
As of June 25, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the products.
The recall was initiated after a product was discovered to contain pecans without the nuts being declared on the packaging.
What People Are Saying
The FDA, on its website: “People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”
Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: “Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there’s like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods.”
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA.
Consumers who purchased the recalled products are urged to dispose of them or return them to any Kilwins retail store for a full refund.