The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid certain chocolate protien drinks, pan de torta bread and Crispy/Rusk because of undeclared allergens.

ODWALLA CHOCOLATE PROTIEN MONSTER

Odwalla, Inc. is recalling Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster beverage in 12-oz and 32-oz bottles, with “enjoy by” dates prior to and including 23 MAY 2012, because of reports from consumers allergic to peanuts and/or tree nuts experiencing severe allergic reactions after consuming this beverage. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts and/or tree nuts may run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

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Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster product that is being recalled includes all “enjoy by” dates prior to 23 MAY 2012 and the specific UPC codes listed below.

Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster/12-oz bottles/UPC Code: 14054 13509

Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster/32-oz bottles/UPC Code: 14054 13504

Odwalla Protein Monster “variety pack”(sold exclusively at Costco)/12-oz bottles, four of which are Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster/UPC Code: 0 14054 26659 6

These Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster beverages were distributed nationwide through retail food stores and on-premise foodservice establishments during the last seven weeks. The 12-oz bottles of Chocolate Protein Monster are also available in an Odwalla Protein Monster “variety pack” sold exclusively at Costco during this same timeframe. The variety pack is a 10-pack of 12-oz bottles of the different Protein Monster varieties, four bottles of which are Chocolate Protein Monster.

Chocolate Protein Monster is sold in 12-oz and 32-oz re-sealable plastic packaging and must be kept refrigerated. The beverage labels carry the brand name “Odwalla” and the descriptors “Chocolate Protein Soy and Dairy Protein Shake” and “Protein Monster.” Specific “enjoy by” dates can be found printed on the neck of the bottles.

To date, four consumers have contacted Odwalla to report allergic reactions after drinking the product. These four consumers are not known to be allergic to soy and milk but report being allergic to peanuts and/or tree nuts.

Odwalla has notified the FDA of these consumer reports and is working with FDA to investigate the cause of these allergic reactions. This beverage contains no peanut or tree nut ingredients, and the production facility where it is produced does not make any peanut-containing products. While we have found no evidence of peanuts or tree nuts in the product at this point, in an abundance of caution to safeguard consumers, Odwalla is recalling this product while continuing to investigate the cause of the reactions.

Consumers who are allergic to peanuts or peanuts and tree nuts and who have Odwalla Chocolate Protein Monster product with the specified “enjoy by” dates are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Odwalla at 1-800-639-2552, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

PAN DE TORTA BREAD

Los Olivos LTD of Farmingdale, NY, is recalling its 16 ounce packages of “Pan de Torta” bread because they may contain undeclared milk allergens. Consumers who are allergic to milk allergens may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The product comes in a 16 ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot #50912 stamped on the side. The recalled “Pan de Torta” was sold to Queso La Ricura located at 225 Park Avenue Hicksville NY 11801 and distributed throughout Long Island, Brooklyn, Queen’s., Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx and New Jersey. The product was distributed nationwide by other distributors.

The recall was initiated after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of undeclared milk allergens in the 16 ounce packages of “Los Olivos Pan de Torta” which did not declare a milk ingredient on the label.

No illnesses or allergic reactions involving this product have been reported to date. Consumers who have purchased 16 ounce packages of “Los Olivos Pan de Torta” are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 631-773-6439.

CRISPY COOKIES/RUSK BREAD

FDA warns consumers not to eat Crispy brand Cookies and Rusk manufactured by TWI Foods Inc., Ontario, Canada products may contain undeclared allergens

Fast Facts

TWI Foods Inc., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada is voluntarily recalling Crispy brand cookies and rusk, a hard crisp bread.

The recalled products may contain two of the eight most common allergens, milk and almonds.

Allergic reactions to food can sometimes cause serious illness and death.

Consumers should stop using the product if they have allergies to milk or almonds, call their doctor and follow the additional instructions in “What Do Consumers and Others Need To Do” below.

What is the Problem?
TWI Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling several varieties of Crispy brand cookies and rusk.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and TWI Foods Inc., are warning people with allergies to milk or almonds not to consume Crispy brand cookie and rusk products. The affected products contain almonds and/or milk which are not clearly declared on the label.

What are the Symptoms of Illness/Injury?
Food allergy symptoms typically appear from within minutes to up to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which they are allergic. Allergic reactions can include: hives, flushed skin or rash, tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth, face, tongue, or lip swelling, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, coughing or wheezing, dizziness and/or lightheadedness, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, difficulty breathing, and/or a drop in blood pressure.

Who is at Risk?
Consumers with allergies to milk and/or almonds are at risk. Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening. There is no cure for food allergies.

What Do Consumers Need To Do? 
Strict avoidance of food allergens and early recognition and management of allergic reactions to food are important measures to prevent serious health consequences.

Consumers who think they may have become ill from eating cookies or rusk with milk and/or almonds should consult their health care providers.

The following products were shipped to the US:

Where is it Distributed?  
The Canadian-manufactured cookies products were sent to 28 United States distributors in 15 states including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington.

Have There Been Any Illnesses Reported?
There have been no illnesses reported at this time.

What is Being Done about the Problem?
FDA is monitoring the problem in collaboration with the CFIA and public health agencies in those states where the products have been distributed.

Who Should be Contacted?
For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342/TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m. EST, Monday through Friday).

For information on milk and nuts, two of the eight most common food allergens, please click on the link below:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/foodallergy2011.html