A recall of numerous cookie and dessert products because of potential undeclared allergens has been issued the second-highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Reisman Bros Bakery, based in New York, announced its voluntary recall on June 17 as the products may contain undeclared wheat and soy. The FDA later issued a Class II risk classification on July 31.
Newsweek contacted Reisman Bros Bakery for comment by email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
A Class II risk classification refers to a situation in which the “use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA.
Wheat and soy are both major food allergens as defined in law. The others are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.
What To Know
The products impacted by the recall are the following:
- Jumbo Colored Sprinkles Cookies – UPC code: 078619010000 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies – UPC code: 078619010017 – undeclared wheat
- Jumbo Black & White Cookies – UPC code: 078619010185 – undeclared wheat
- Jumbo Pink & White Cookies – UPC code: 078619010437 – undeclared wheat
- Brownie Bars – UPC code: 078619010048 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Fudge Bars – UPC code: 078619010055 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Cappuccino Bars – UPC code: 078619010062 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Strawberry Bars – UPC code: 078619010307 – undeclared wheat
- Chocolate Croissants – UPC code: 078619010079 – undeclared wheat
- Cinnamon Croissants – UPC code: 078619010086 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Vanilla Croissants – UPC code: 078619010093 – undeclared wheat
- Chocolate Snack – UPC code: 078619010109 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Chocolate Danishes – UPC code: 078619010130 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Cinnamon Danishes – UPC code: 078619010147 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Vanilla Danish – UPC code: 078619010291 – undeclared wheat
- Chocolate Wrap – UPC code: 078619010345 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Cinnamon Wrap – UPC code: 078619010352 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Vanilla Wrap – UPC code: 078619010369 – undeclared wheat
- Chocolate Flaky Wrap – UPC code: 078619010376 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Raspberry Flaky Wrap – UPC code: 078619010390 – undeclared wheat
- 2pk Soft Chip Cookie (with fudge filling) – UPC code: 078619010383 – undeclared wheat
- Chocolate Babka Slices – UPC code: 078619010192 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Cinnamon Babka Slices – UPC code: 078619010321 – undeclared wheat and soy
- Candy Blast Brownie Snack – UPC code: 078619010574 – undeclared wheat
A total of 186,582 units of the products were distributed to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, California, Florida, Massachusetts and Michigan.
What People Are Saying
The FDA, on its website: “People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”
Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: “Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there’s like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods.”
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA.
Consumers who purchased the affected products and have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat or soy should not consumer them.
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