The FDA has recalled thousands of brownies made and sold by convenience store giant 7-Eleven, saying they contain a potentially deadly ingredient.
7-Eleven’s packaged chocolate brownies contained nuts, which were not listed on the packaging.
He remember It applies to more than 2,000 products distributed in stores in Southern California. Nut allergies can range from mild to life-threatening, causing throat inflammation and breathing obstruction. An estimated three million Americans (about one percent of the population) are allergic to nuts.
The FDA has not confirmed any allergic reactions linked to the brownies, which officials say should be thrown away.
The recalled brownies were delivered to 7-Eleven stores in Southern California on Sept. 8 and 9, and had a best-before date of Sept. 11.
The recall applies to supplier Innovation Bakers of Fullerton, California, which distributed 2,081 packaged brownies to 7-Elevens in Southern California.
They come in 3.5-ounce packages sealed with the lot code: Best before Wednesday 0911.
It’s unclear how many stores in the region the now-recalled brownies were shipped to on Sept. 8 and 9, and 7-Eleven has not responded to a request for more information.
Walnuts fall into the category of tree nuts, an allergy that affects about one percent of the American population.
A mild allergy causes itching in the mouth and tongue. Depending on which protein in the nut the person is allergic to, the reaction can cause severe inflammation of the throat, hives, and anaphylactic shock.
The packaging did not disclose that the product contained nuts, to which approximately three million Americans are allergic.
Nuts were to blame for a June recall of chocolate chip muffins from FGF Brands Inc.’s Aldi Bakeshop.
FGF Brands Inc recalled the product due to an “undeclared nut allergen.”
The FDA investigated and concluded that the error was caused by a flaw in the company’s production and packaging processes.
Allergies to nuts, including tree nuts, kill between 150 and 200 Americans each year. Most of those deaths are caused by peanut allergies.
Other types of nuts include pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, pine nuts, and Brazil nuts.
And last month, testing by health officials revealed that Terrafina golden raisins, sold at retail stores across the state, contained undeclared sulfites. That prompted an emergency recall of 10-ounce, clear square plastic containers of the raisins made by New Jersey-based Sunco and Frenchie.
Sulfites are found in hundreds of household items, including red wines, ketchup, frozen chips and cereals, which prevent mold and keep produce fresh.
Patients with mild reactions to sulfites may experience red, itchy skin, rashes, and hives. In more severe cases, anaphylaxis may occur, causing wheezing and difficulty breathing.