FDA Establishes Risk Level for Nut Recall Update

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified a batch of recalled Wegmans nuts as Class II risk.

United Natural Trading Inc., doing business as Woodstock Farms, issued a voluntary recall of Wegmans organic dry roasted salted almonds in January because the back label incorrectly identified them as cashews. They were properly labeled on the front.

Why It Matters

People may have nut allergies to almonds but not to other tree nuts such as hazelnuts, cashews, or walnuts.

Those who are allergic or have a severe sensitivity to almonds are at risk of experiencing a serious or fatal allergic reaction if they consume these products.

“Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock,” according to the FDA.

What To Know

The FDA issued the initial recall on January 6, but revealed the risk classification on Thursday.

A Class II risk classification refers to a situation in which the “use or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

As a result, Class I includes “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The third category comprises “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”

The initial recall affected 404 cases of the product (each containing 12 bags). The products had lot number 24305 and a best-by date of July 28 this year.

The nuts were packaged in 12 oz. clear bags and distributed to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York.

What People Are Saying

United Natural Trading Inc. said: “The back label states Organic Cashews. The front product label states Wegmans Organic unsalted dry roasted almonds. The front label is the correct label for this product.”

The Children’s Allergy Doctors said: “Peanuts and tree nuts are responsible for the most severe food-related allergic reactions, including life-threatening (anaphylactic reaction) or even fatal reactions.”