Recalled bags of cornflour mix have been classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after they were found to contain an undeclared allergen.
Why It Matters
Undeclared allergens in food items can cause serious and sometimes fatal allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. There are nine major allergens: soybeans, fish, crustacean shellfish, milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame, all of which are required to be clearly labeled on food packaging throughout the U.S.
What To Know
Bags of Baker’s Source Traditional Cornbread Mix Complete, produced by Texas-based C.H. Guenther & Son, were first voluntarily recalled by the company in October 2024 due to the presence of egg, a major allergen, which was not declared on the product packaging.
The FDA has now given the product a Class I risk classification. This is the highest risk level awarded and is issued when there is a “reasonable probability” that the use of or exposure to a product could “cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Newsweek has contacted C.H. Guenther & Son for comment via email.
A stock image of cornbread laid out for serving. A similar product was recalled due to the presence of an undeclared allergen.
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In total, 210,960 pounds of products sold in 5-pound bags have been withdrawn. The FDA notice stipulates the mix is for “food service use” and has a shelf life of one year.
The following dates and lot codes are impacted:
- 5/22/2024 PF052224
- 6/24/2024 PF062424
- 6/25/2024 PF062524
- 7/25/2024 PF072524
- 7/26/2024 PF072624
- 8/21/2024 PF082124
- 8/22/2024 PF082224
- 9/16/2024 PF091626
- 9/18/2024 PF091824
- 9/20/2024 PF092024
- 10/4/2024 PF100424
- 10/5/2024 PF100524
- 10/23/2024 PF102324
- 11/1/2024 PF110124
The products were distributed in Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, and Virginia, according to the FDA.
What Can Happen During Allergic Reactions
Food-allergy reactions can lead to symptoms such as hives, rashes, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and coughing or wheezing.
When a very serious reaction occurs, the body can go into anaphylactic shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness, all of which require emergency treatment in hospital.
The FDA warns that “symptoms of anaphylaxis may start out as relatively mild but, if not treated promptly, symptoms can become life-threatening in a short amount of time.”
What People Are Saying
Dr. Darin Detwiler, professor of food policy and corporate social responsibility at Northeastern University, told Newsweek: “The public should take Class I recalls very seriously and avoid using the affected products.
“If the illness or allergic reaction was due to negligence or contamination, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Consulting with a lawyer who specializes in food safety and product liability can help you understand your rights and options for seeking compensation.”
