Snack Mix Recall as Life-Threatening Warning Issued

Concerns about triggering life-threatening allergic reactions have been raised following a recall of a snack mix that failed to list a potential allergen as an ingredient.

A voluntary recall announcement shared to the website of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday warns consumers that the Pop a Nosh Mix Munch Regular and Honey BBQ snacks produced by AMB Food Inc. contains wheat despite not listing the ingredient on packaging.

The company based in Brooklyn, New York, said that 8-ounce packages of the snacks did not list pretzels, which are made with wheat, as an allergen. The snacks were sold in clear plastic bags at retail outlets in Brooklyn. Images shared alongside the recall announcement do not show any specific ingredients listed.

While it was unclear when the snacks were sold, no illnesses related to the undeclared allergen had been reported at the time of publication. The UPC Code for the affected “regular” flavored snacks is 91466994, while the code for the “Honey BBQ” flavor is 914669940.

“The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the pretzels included in both snack mixes contain wheat and both flavors were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat,” the recall announcement states.

“The firm continues to investigate and make appropriate corrections,” it continues. “Do not consume this product if you have a sensitivity to wheat. It can be returned to the original point of purchase for a full refund or replacement.”

Consumers with any questions about the recall were urged to call 929-292-0838 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday to Thursday.

Newsweek reached out for comment to the FDA via email on Friday.

Food products that fail to list ingredients like wheat, which may be of little concern to most consumers, have the potential to cause the sometimes deadly condition of anaphylaxis in those who have related allergies.

Earlier this year, a recall was issued for Florentine cookies sold by Connecticut-based Northeastern supermarket chain Stew Leonard’s following the death of a woman who ate the cookies without realizing they contained undeclared peanuts.

The victim was later identified as Órla Baxendale, a 25-year-old British national who had moved to New York City to pursue her career as a “world class” dancer, according to NBC New York.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that should never have happened,” Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement at the time. “Our condolences go out to the family affected by this incident.”

The presence of undisclosed wheat in food products also presents a serious medical risk for those with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition distinct from a wheat allergy but leaves those affected with a hypersensitivity to the gluten found in wheat and some other grains.