Packages of raisins sold in New York have been recalled because they could cause a “life-threatening” reaction.
Testing by health officials revealed that Terrafina golden raisins, sold at retail stores across the state, contained undeclared sulfites.
The preservative can cause an allergic reaction in up to 500,000 Americans, mostly people with asthma.
In milder cases, patients experience red, itchy skin, rashes and hives. But in more severe cases, people can suffer from anaphylaxis, a serious and potentially life-threatening reaction in which people start wheezing and have difficulty breathing.
Golden raisins in 10 oz containers were sold in retail stores throughout New York State.
Experts say they have an expiration date of May or August 2025. They should be returned to sellers for a full refund.
Food inspectors with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets detected the sulfites during routine testing of the products.
10-ounce clear square plastic containers of raisins of that size, which were manufactured by New Jersey-based Sunco and Frenchie, have been recalled.
Raisins have an expiration date of May or August 2025.
Consumers are urged not to consume the products and return them to sellers for a full refund.
Other box sizes, such as 12 oz raisin boxes and 16 oz raisin boxes, are not believed to be affected.
Sulfites are found in hundreds of household items, including red wines, ketchup, frozen French fries and cereals, where they are used to deter mold and keep produce fresh.
Food agencies say these are safe to consume, but they must be declared on the label when they are at a concentration of 10 parts per million (ppm) or more, above the threshold at which they can cause an allergic reaction.
According to experts at the University of Florida, its levels in food normally do not exceed a few hundred ppm, but in certain fruits and vegetables they can reach 1,000 ppm.
Some people have a milder form of sulfite allergy, called sulfite sensitivity, which causes symptoms such as nasal congestion or runny nose, chest tightness, coughing and sneezing.
There are also suggestions that the additives harm cells, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer says there is “inadequate evidence” to link them to cancer.
Experts say allergies to additives are usually diagnosed only after other possibilities have been ruled out.
Allergy consultant Dr Jordan Scott previously said: ‘The hardest part about diagnosing a sulphite allergy is that there is no test we can use.
‘Rather, it is a diagnosis based on exposure history and often excludes other food allergies.’