The supermarket retailer ALDI announced the voluntary recall of a holiday dessert distributed nationwide.
An ALDI alert disclosed that Silvestri Sweets Inc. of Geneva, Illinois, has withdrawn Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark due to the potential presence of an undeclared allergen and Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark due to a potential undeclared pecan allergen.
Holiday bark is sheet candy that comes in different flavors.
Neither Silvestri Sweets nor ALDI company leaders responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark had been packaged in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark packages, resulting in undeclared pecan; and that the Cookie Butter Holiday Bark had been packaged in Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark packages, resulting in undeclared wheat, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alert.
“Subsequent investigation indicates the problem may have been caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process,” FDA officials said.
ALDI urged customers who purchased the treat to discard the product immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund.
There are nine major food allergens that the FDA requires all companies to identify in their products. They include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, filberts, hazel nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts are all considered tree nuts by the FDA.
“While the increased availability and consumption of nuts have health benefits, it may also increase the risk of accidental consumption in those who are allergic to nuts, which is why declaring the presence of nuts in packaged foods is essential,” consultant allergist and physician Stephanie Kayode told NTD.
Last month, ALDI announced the voluntary recall of a chocolate candy that is packaged similarly to M&Ms called Dairyfine Crispy Choc Um’s due to the potential presence of an undeclared allergen.
“As a precautionary measure, our supplier is recalling Dairyfine Crispy Choc Um’s because it may contain peanuts,” ALDI company leaders said in a customer notice.
The undeclared presence of peanuts is concerning for people who are allergic to peanuts because exposure can cause a life-threatening immune system overreaction called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can result in blockages or narrowing of the breathing airways.
ALDI urged customers who purchased Dairyfine Crispy Choc Um’s to return them to their nearest store to receive a full refund.
