BIG RECALL: Pork Product Recall Sparks Warning to Customers
Pork Dynasty Inc. of Texas is recalling nearly 470 pounds of fried pork skin products due to undeclared allergens and misbranding, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Friday.
Details of the Recall
In an online notice, the FSIS stated that the impacted products contain soy, which was not disclosed on the packaging. This undeclared allergen was discovered during routine verification activities conducted by FSIS at the company’s facility.
The recalled items include 2.5-ounce and 3.5-ounce bags of “Texarones Born in the Philippines—Made in Texas Fried Out Pork Fat with Attached Skin Spicy.” These products come in plastic bags and carry an establishment number of “EST. 46015.” They were distributed to various retail and dining establishments across Texas.
As of Friday, the FSIS reported that there have been no reactions linked to the recall.
Consumer Advisory
The FSIS urges consumers who have purchased the recalled products not to consume them. Instead, they should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
For further inquiries about the recall, consumers can contact Pork Dynasty Inc.’s owner, Wilson Gaw, at 832-606-1946 or via email at wilsonlg05@yahoo.com. Alternatively, questions can be directed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or through email at MPHotline@usda.gov.
Importance of Allergen Labeling
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates that companies list nine major food allergens on their product labels, including milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
A report by Traceone, a regulatory compliance company, revealed that unintended traces of allergens accounted for 40% of product recalls from 2020 to the present date. This makes it the leading cause of recalls by both the FDA and FSIS.
Following allergens, the second most common reason for recalls involved harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which comprised 21% of recalls during the same period. Other factors leading to recalls include the presence of foreign objects like small pieces of plastic or metal and mislabeling issues. Notably, the presence of lead in food represented 1.7% of the withdrawals reviewed by Traceone.
Public Awareness and Recall Impact
A Gallup poll conducted from July 1 to July 21 found that 27% of Americans reported having to discard or return an item due to a recall or food safety alert. Furthermore, over half of the respondents (53%) indicated that they had avoided purchasing specific brands due to past recalls or advisories.
The proactive measures taken by Pork Dynasty Inc. and regulatory agencies aim to ensure consumer safety and maintain trust in food products available on the market.
