Product recalls aren’t new but when these happen to beloved food products, it can be such a waste! This is true for Mondelez Global LLC’s voluntary recall of the 13-ounce packages of Chips Ahoy Chery Cookies over concerns of “an unexpected solidified ingredient” in them.
The cookies recalled have expiration dates of September 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2019. These have a universal product code of 0 44000 03223 4. These were previously made available in stores nationwide and, thus, consumers have to be aware before buying Chips Ahoy Chewy Cookies.
Mondelez Global LLC’s action was made in connection with reports that the cookies have potential adverse health effects. But the manufacturer didn’t provide details about the “unexpected solidified ingredient” and the adverse side effects
The company advised its customers who have the product to avoid eating it and contact Mondelez Global LLC as soon as possible.
The voluntary recall isn’t the first of its kind in 2019 and in previous years. On April 3, Hunt’s recalled its six-ounce cans of No Salt Added Tomato Paste after some of them were damaged during the canning process. These cans could potentially have mold inside and, thus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consumers return them to the store or throw them away.
On March 21, Tyson Foods recalled more than 69,000 pounds of frozen chicken strips. The disturbing reason: These may contain pieces of contaminated metal; these have a November 30, 2019 as “best by” dates. While there have been no reports of injuries or illnesses yet, consumers are advised to dispose of them immediately.
The frozen chicken strips aren’t the only recalls Tyson Foods have had to make in 2019. On January 29, the company announced its voluntary recall of more than 36,000 pounds of chicken nuggets. This time, the culprit was pieces of contaminated rubber; multiple consumer complaints resulted in the discovery of the problem, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Consumers who bought the 5-pound Tyson White Meat Panko Chicken Nuggets in plastic packages with November 26, 2019 as the “best if used by” date, time stamp from 23:00 to 01:59, and case code of 3308SDL03 are the only subject of this recall.
On March 14, Butterball Ground Turkey was also recalled. More than 78,000 pounds of the ground turkey with July 26, 2018 “freeze by” date are the subject of the recall. The meat may have salmonella contamination and five people have become ill from its consumption; the product was sold at Food Lion and Kroger stores.
Other product recalls in 2019 include Pillsbury Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to possible salmonella contamination; Boston Market Home Style Meals with “best by” dates well into 2020 due to pieces of hard plastic and glass shards; Oskri Organics Sunflower and Tahini Butter due to possible Listeria contamination with “best by” dates in later 2019 and early 2020.
Don’t be too complacent about fresh fruits either as these also have a history of recalls. Fresh peaches, nectarines, and plums, for example, have been recalled due to possible contamination of listeria monocytogenes.
Just this month, the FDA released its findings after its completion of a special sampling program at 89 ice cream production facilities in 32 states. The program was conducted to determine the presence of pathogens, such as salmonella and listeria monocytogenes, in the facilities and their products; the study was conducted between September 12, 2016 and August 30, 2017.
This was made following 16 ice cream product recalled from 2013 to 2015. The recalls were due to the presence of pathogens and a listeriosis outbreak, which involved three deaths, in 2015.
The FDA findings were largely favorable although 19 facilities were found to have listeria monocytogenes. But of the 19 facilities, only one facility had listeria monocytogenes on a food-contact surface. One facility also harbored salmonella.
These findings, nonetheless, emphasize the importance for commercial ice cream makers to adopt appropriate measures in compliance with the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule.
What can consumers do when they find that they have purchased a recall product? First, don’t panic as many food recalls are issued, either by the company or by a regulatory agency, because there’s strong evidence that an issue came up during the food manufacturing or processing process. These aren’t typically made due to injuries or illnesses experienced by consumers.
Second, remember if you have consumed the recalled product and monitor yourself for possible side effects, whether injury or illness. If you aren’t feeling well, you should immediately see a physician. You must let your doctor know that you have consumed a recalled product and your symptoms after doing so.
But if you become very sick, you should get to a hospital. You must inform the doctors about your symptoms and your consumption of a recalled product. In most cases, the hospital has to contact the authorities.
Third, ask for a refund from the store or manufacturer for returned recalled products. The legal issue regarding medical compensation is a matter between you and the responsible party, which can be the manufacturer or the distributor or the retailer.
