Nine states have issued a chocolate recall due to undeclared allergens that can be fatal
Chocolate-covered fruits and nuts are being recalled in nine states over fears they could cause an allergic reaction.
More than 19 products sold by Cal Yee Farm in California are part of the recall, including yogurt-covered almonds, trail mix and dried mangoes.
FDA inspectors found that the products contained substances not listed on the products’ labels, including milk, wheat, sesame, soy and food coloring Yellow 6, all of which could cause a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
The products were sold in clear zippered bags with a bright yellow label on the front that read “Cal Yee Farm.”
They could be purchased by customers at the farm’s main store in Suisun Valley, California, or through farm stands and stores in nine other states.
So far, no illnesses have been reported from the chocolate, nuts or fruit products.
In its warning, the FDA advised consumers to throw out the recalled products or return them to the seller for a full refund.
And officials warned: ‘People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, Yellow 6 and almonds are at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.’
More than 19 products sold by Cal-Yee Farm in California are included in the recall, including yogurt-covered almonds, trail mix and dried mangoes (the chili mango above is included in the recall, but the pretzels are not)
The recalled products were sold in clear zippered bags with a bright yellow label on the front that read “Cal Yee Farm.”
The products were sold in 8oz, 1lb, 2lb or 5lb sizes. A complete list of the recalled products was published by the FDA.
They include dark chocolate walnuts, butter fudge almonds, yogurt covered almonds, tropical trail mix, dark chocolate raisins, chili mango, Cajun Sesame Hot Sticks, New Orleans Hot Mix, two types of fruit baskets and dark chocolate apricots.
The nine states where they are being recalled are: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
But officials warned that the products were also sold online and so may be available in other states.
About 33 million Americans have an allergy to at least one food, estimates suggest.
Among them, 6.2 million people have a milk allergy; 2.4 million people are allergic to wheat; 1.9 million are allergic to soy.
Allergic reactions are caused when the immune system mistakenly perceives food as a threat, causing a potentially life-threatening reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include a rash, wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath, and an itchy or tingling sensation in the mouth and lips.
Within minutes of consuming the food, people can also experience anaphylaxis – a serious, life-threatening reaction.
The immune system releases chemicals that cause blood vessels to expand and the airways to narrow.
This can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure and fluid leakage into the lungs, possibly causing death.
Patients can treat mild reactions by taking antihistamines or applying a cold compress to reduce symptoms.
But in case of a severe reaction, such as anaphylaxis, they should be taken to the hospital immediately. Patients suffering a severe reaction may receive an epinephrine injection, which calms the immune system.