BIG RECALL: Snack Recall Sparks Warning in 10 States
A snack recall has been issued over concerns regarding undeclared ingredients that could trigger potentially fatal allergic reactions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a recall notice on Wednesday, alerting consumers that certain packages of “Grabeez the Big Cheese Snack Mix Cups” contain almonds and cashews not listed on the packaging.
Affected Products and Distribution
The affected snacks were distributed to centers in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas and were sold at retail stores between August 23 and September 19 in the District of Columbia, as well as Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Truly Good Foods, the manufacturer, initiated the recall after a customer noticed an “incorrect cup” and reported the error to the company. An investigation revealed that the issue stemmed from a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes. The snacks are packaged in 3.25-ounce clear plastic containers with a **”best before” date of 04/16/25 printed on the bottom. The UPC number for the product is 0 94184 00439 8, located on a green label.
Consumer Guidance
Consumers who purchased the recalled product are advised to discard it and visit the company’s recall page for a full refund. For further inquiries, customers can contact Truly Good Foods via email at marketing@trulygoodfoods.com or by phone at 704-602-0610, available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Health Risks Associated with Undeclared Allergens
While the presence of undeclared almonds and cashews may not pose a serious health risk for most consumers, individuals with related allergies could face severe reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention and can manifest through symptoms such as throat swelling, difficulty breathing, sudden drops in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Other serious allergic reactions may include rashes, hives, itching, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Though fatal allergic reactions are rare, the risk of mislabeled food products containing undeclared allergens is a common reason for initiating recalls. Earlier this year, Stew Leonard’s, a supermarket chain in Connecticut, recalled Florentine cookies after a 25-year-old consumer suffered a fatal anaphylactic shock due to undisclosed peanuts in the product.
Allergy Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6 percent of adults and 8 percent of children in the U.S. have at least one food allergy. Cashews and almonds, both classified as tree nuts, are among the “major food allergens” listed by the FDA, which includes a total of nine major allergens: tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans.
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