A Connecticut company has recalled various cookie products because of possible undeclared allergens, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.
Gina Marie Bakery, based in Waterbury, announced the voluntary recall on September 10 over the potential undeclared presence of almonds, sesame and several food colorings—namely Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
Newsweek contacted Gina Marie Bakery for comment by email outside regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Sesame and tree nuts, including almonds, are among the nine major food allergens as set out in U.S. law.
The FDA warned that people who had allergies to nuts, sesame seeds and/or food dyes ran “the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”
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.
Stock image of freshly baked cookies with jam.
Stock image of freshly baked cookies with jam.
CTK/AP
What To Know
The products affected by the recall include these:
Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies—undeclared almonds, sesame, Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1Italian Sesame Cookies—undeclared Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6Vanilla Chocolate Dipped Cookies—undeclared Red 40Vanilla With Apricot Jam Cookies—undeclared Red 40 and Yellow 6Toasted Almond and Cherry Biscotti—undeclared Red 40Vanilla Cookies With Raspberry Peach Jam—undeclared Red 3, Blue 1
The affected products were distributed in 1- and 2-pound clamshell plastic containers. They were sold in the following stores:
Big Y stores throughout Connecticut and Springfield, MassachusettsStop and Shop stores throughout ConnecticutNardelli’s stores throughout ConnecticutLaBonne’s Markets in Watertown and ProspectAdams Hometown Markets in Milford and WatertownHighland Park Markets in Glastonbury, Manchester and FarmingtonPrice Chopper in Newington, Bristol and MiddletownT and J Supermarket in East HavenKensington MarketPublic Market of NewingtonRagozzino’s in PlantsvilleLewis Farms in SouthingtonDurham MarketLiuzzi Gourmet Food Market in North HavenCappetta’s Italian in West HavenRoma Importing in SheltonWalsh’s Market in WolcottTops Market in PlantsvilleThe Local Gourmet in SouthburyConnecticut Fresh Food and Produce Market in WallingfordWayside Market in WaterburyJimmy’s Store in TorringtonLa Molisana Sausage in WaterburyNew Fairfield Food CenterPat’s IGA in WolcottWatertown Meat CenterTommy’s Place and Market in BristolCavallo’s Deli and Imported Italian Foods in WaterburyLa Strega Italian Deli in Middlebury
The company initiated the recall after discovering that the affected products were distributed in packaging that did not disclose the presence of the allergens.
As of September 10, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the recalled cookies.
What People Are Saying
The FDA said 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, the 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 ongoing. Sales of the products have been suspended until the problem has been rectified.
Dining and Cooking