Pork Products Recalled Over Allergic Reaction Fears

Texarones spicy pork fat and skin products made by Pork Dynasty Inc. are being recalled due to undeclared soy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said.

Soy is a known allergen, which can cause an immune-system reaction in some people, involving stomach problems, coughing, itching and other symptoms. Individuals with a severe soy allergy may have an anaphylactic reaction, which may cause difficulty breathing, swelling in the throat, increased heart rate, dizziness, confusion and sometimes death.

As yet, there have been no confirmed cases of adverse reactions connected to these products, which were sold in retail and restaurant locations in Texas and Oklahoma.

Two products are affected: both were sold in plastic bags labeled “Texarones, born in the Philippines, made in Texas,” but one reads “fried out pork fat with attached skin spicy” and weighs 3.5 oz, and the other reads “fried pork skin spicy” and weighs 2.5 oz.

Both products have the establishment number “EST. 46015” written inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The FSIS is advising consumers who purchased these Pork Dynasty products not to consume them, but to throw them away or return them to the place where they were purchased.

This advice applies regardless of their “best before” dates, but it may not be relevant for customers who are unaffected by a soy allergy.

The undeclared allergen was discovered by the FSIS during routine verification activities, according to the FSIS.

Personnel noticed that a seasoning containing soy was being used as an ingredient in these products, but that it had not been declared on the labels.

The FSIS announced the recall on its website on September 27 and updated the statement on October 3 to clarify that Pork Dynasty products had been sold in Oklahoma, as well as in Texas.

Consumers with food safety questions about this issue are being directed to call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or to send their questions via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.

Nearly a dozen food products were subject to recalls in September, with some experts suggesting that food recalls are becoming more frequent.

Newsweek has contacted Pork Dynasty and the FSIS for comment.

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