The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recently issued a critical product recall for several Gina Marie Bakery cookie products distributed from their Waterbury Connecticut facility. The FDA initiated this recall, because Gina Marie Bakery failed to disclose essential food allergens and artificial food colorings in their cookie products. Let’s find out more…What triggered the recallThe company initiated a voluntary recall of various cookie products because they contained undeclared allergens, including almonds and sesame seeds. The cookies contained both nut allergens and artificial food dyes Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 3 and Blue 1, which were not indicated on the packaging labels. The FDA requires all food products to display allergens and additives on labels, yet these hidden ingredients violate these regulations, which protect consumer health. The recalled cookie products were distributed to more than 130 stores, which operated in Connecticut and specific areas of Massachusetts.
Dangerous health risksPeople who have food allergies, face severe reactions and potentially fatal anaphylaxis when they encounter hidden allergens in their food. The most common food allergens include nuts and seeds, as well as milk, eggs, wheat, soy, seafood and peanuts. People with nut or seed allergies face dangerous health risks, when they accidentally consume hidden allergens, because these substances can lead to hives, swelling and potentially deadly anaphylaxis.Which all cookies are affectedThe recall includes multiple cookie products from Gina Marie Bakery. The recalled products include:Italian Mixed Vanilla Cookies contain almonds and sesame and the food dyes Red 40, Red 3 and Blue 1.The Italian Sesame Cookies contain undeclared artificial dyes Yellow 5, Red 40, Yellow 6.Vanilla Chocolate Dipped CookiesVanilla with Apricot Jam CookiesToasted Almond & Cherry BiscottiThe cookie products were distributed in 1-pound and 2-pound plastic containers before being removed from all retail locations. All customers who bought these items need to discard them immediately, because they present health dangers.FDA’s threat-to-life warningThe FDA has issued a Class I recall warning which represents their most severe warning level for product safety. The FDA has determined that eating these products can lead to serious health problems, or fatal outcomes. The FDA specifically warned that people who have nut, sesame seed, and specific food dye sensitivities face the greatest danger. The public needs to receive immediate notification about this situation, because it enables healthcare providers to take necessary actions that stop allergic emergencies from happening.Food recall protection methodsThe recent recall demonstrates why people with food allergies and sensitivities, must examine product labels thoroughly. People with food allergies need to check ingredient lists and “contains” statements to detect hidden allergens in their food products. Consumers need to stop using recalled products right away, and follow the producer’s or FDA’s established procedures, for product return or disposal. The reporting of allergic reactions after product consumption enables authorities to track and control recall processes more efficiently.
Action initiatedThe bakery has removed all affected cookie batches from sale, while working to implement proper FDA-compliant labeling for their products. The bakery and FDA maintain a high alert status regarding these products, because no allergic reactions or illnesses have been documented yet.
