SEPARATING THE WHEAT ....

USDA_food_safety_logo_ nyreblog_com_.jpg California Firm Recalls Pizza Products Due to Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergen

Completely Fresh Foods Inc., a Montebello, Calif., establishment is voluntarily recalling approximately 131,000 pounds of pizza products because they contain an allergen, wheat, not declared on the label. Wheat is a known allergen.

The products subject to recall include: [ View Labels ]

10-oz. packages of "TRADER JOE'S PIZZA AL POLLO ASADO." (Frozen).

Individual packages bear the establishment number "EST. P-974" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on various dates between Jan. 27, 2011 and March 27, 2011 and shipped to Trader Joe's stores nationwide. The products include one of the following Julian dates embossed on the retail carton: "02711," "02811," "03011," "03111," "03311," "03411," "03811," "03911," "04011," "04111," "05211," "05311," "05411," "05511," "05911," "06011," "06111," "06211," "06711," "06811," "07311," "07411," "07511," "07611," "08111," "08211," "08411," "08511" and "08611."

The problem was discovered by an FSIS inspector at the establishment as part of a routine inspection. The inspector reviewed the spice blend ingredient statement and the finished product label and discovered that wheat, an allergen, was listed in the spice blend, but not declared in the ingredient statement of the finished product label. FSIS and the company, to date, have received no reports of adverse reactions or illnesses due to consumption of these products. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and are concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Trader Joe's customer relations at (626) 599-3817. Media with questions about the recall should contact Alison Mochizuki at (626) 599-3779.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov . The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.