Michael Foods, an egg producer located in Minnesota, has decided to recall about 4,620 pounds of liquid egg products as a result of hazardous mislabeling and undisclosed allergens.
The recall notice from FSIS was issued due to 'Fair Meadow Foundations Whole Eggs with Citric Acid' containing 'Breakfast Blend Scrambled Egg' from Michael Foods, which includes milk - an undeclared allergen.
Major Egg Recall Misabeling Mix-Up Discovered
While conducting a regular inventory check, Michael Foods discovered inconsistencies in their carton labeling.
This resulted in finding out that 'Breakfast Blend Scrambled Egg' items with milk were mistakenly labeled as 'Fair Meadow Foundations Whole Eggs with Citric Acid.'
This incorrect labeling presents a significant health hazard to individuals with milk allergies, as milk is one of the FDA's key allergens. The error was pinpointed to one production run in which cartons for whole eggs were mistakenly utilized for the scrambled egg mixture.
The liquid egg products that were pulled from shelves had been sent to institutional clients and restaurants in ten states: Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah.
These establishments could consist of schools, hospitals, and workplace cafeterias, but it is still uncertain if any of them have been impacted. The impacted items come in 32-oz. paperboard containers labeled with lot code 4162G and a use-by date of September 16, 2024.
Michael Foods is advising businesses to avoid using or serving these products and suggests returning them to the place of purchase or disposing of them.
The items display EST numbers. The USDA mark of inspection contains the code "G1455". FSIS has published pictures of the cartons to assist customers in recognizing the impacted products.
Michael Foods mentioned that they found a problem when some cartons of the whole eggs were missing, leading to an investigation that uncovered the labeling mistake.
Consumer Concerns and Health Risks
Even though there have not been any reported illnesses linked to the recall yet, customers should inspect their fridges for the recalled items and reach out to Michael Foods for more details or to organize returns.
The FSIS has released pictures of the cartons to assist customers in recognizing the impacted items.
If consumers think they ate the mislabeled eggs and are feeling unwell, they are recommended to immediately get in touch with their healthcare provider right away. Consumers can contact Kristina Larsen, Director of Customer Service at Michael Foods Inc, for recall inquiries.
The FSIS also performs regular checks to confirm the removed products are no longer accessible to consumers.
Milk, a major allergen, needs to be labeled prominently on food items. Consuming milk can lead to a range of reactions, from mild symptoms like hives, vomiting, and diarrhea to severe, life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a sudden, intense allergic response that can lead to breathing problems, a decrease in blood pressure, and may result in death if not promptly treated by medical professionals.
Company Response
Michael Foods, ranked as the tenth biggest egg producer in the U.S. with 9.8 million hens, has apologized for the incident and reiterated their dedication to ensuring consumer safety.
The company has put in place more quality control measures to avoid similar errors and allergen alerts from happening again. Institutions like schools, hospitals, and workplace cafeterias are advised to dispose of or return the recalled items to their original providers.
It is important for consumers who bought the impacted items to verify the lot code 4162G and the expiration date of September 16, 2024. Should the details align, the product must be brought back to the point of sale or promptly discarded.
