RECALL UPDATE: Pork Product Recall Sparks Warning to Customers
Pork Dynasty Inc. of Texas is recalling nearly 470 pounds of fried pork skin products due to an undeclared allergen and misbranding, as announced 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 affected products contain soy, which is not disclosed on the packaging. The undeclared allergen was identified during routine FSIS in-plant verification activities.
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 are packaged in plastic bags and carry an establishment number of “EST. 46015.” They were distributed to retail and dining establishments throughout Texas.
No Reported Reactions
As of Friday, the FSIS confirmed that there have been no reported allergic reactions related to this recall. Consumers who have purchased the affected products are urged not to consume them and to either discard them or return them to the point of purchase.
Contact Information for Inquiries
Questions regarding the recall can be directed to Pork Dynasty Inc.’s owner, Wilson Gaw, at 832-606-1946 or via email at wilsonlg05@yahoo.com. Consumers can also contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-674-6854 or send inquiries to MPHotline@usda.gov.
Understanding Food Allergens
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identifies nine major food allergens that companies are required to list on product labels, which include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
Industry Insights on Recalls
A report from regulatory compliance company Traceone, published last month, highlighted that unintended traces of allergens were the leading cause of product recalls from 2020 to the date of the study, accounting for 40 percent of all recalls by the FDA and FSIS. The second most common reason for recalls was the presence of harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, which accounted for 21 percent of recalls during the same timeframe.
Additional Reasons for Product Recalls
Other common reasons for product recalls include the discovery of foreign objects, such as small pieces of plastic or metal, as well as product mislabeling. Notably, the presence of lead in food constituted 1.7 percent of withdrawals examined by Traceone.
Consumer Awareness and Behavior
A Gallup poll conducted between July 1 and July 21 revealed that 27 percent 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 percent) indicated that they had avoided purchasing specific food brands due to recalls or advisories.
