A salad dressing sold at Trader Joe’s locations nationwide has been recalled due to a labeling error that omitted allergens such as peanuts, sesame, soy, and wheat.
Fresh Creative Foods, based in California, has recalled 12-ounce bottles of Trader Joe’s Hot Honey Mustard Dressing.
Why It Matters
According to the FDA, the dressing was distributed to Trader Joe’s locations in 17 states and Washington, D.C. While no complaints or health concerns have been reported as a result, the affected dressing lacks allergen warnings for soy, peanuts, sesame, and wheat, posing a risk to people allergic to these ingredients.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 million Americans have food allergies, resulting in 15,000-30,000 emergency room visits per year and 150-200 deaths.
What To Know
On March 30, Fresh Creative Foods issued a recall for bottles of its Hot Honey Mustard Dressing with a use-by date of May 27 and product code 80152.
These bottles were sold in Trader Joe’s locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
According to the announcement, no customer complaints about the product or the recall have been reported thus far.
Customers who purchased the product are encouraged to return it to Trader Joe’s for a full refund or dispose of it, and for any questions about the product or label, please contact Fresh Creative Foods directly.
According to FOX Business, this is Trader Joe’s third recall since February, following recalls for glass containers of Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water and Acai Bowl frozen meals.
What People Are Saying
Trader Joe’s told Newsweek that “nothing is more important than the health and safety of our customers and Crew Members.” With this in mind, we work hard every day to ensure that our products meet our high standards for food safety. We do not take chances when it comes to product safety and quality.
“We have a close relationship with our vendors. We err on the side of caution and take proactive steps to address issues. We voluntarily take prompt action, aggressively investigating potential issues and withdrawing the product from sale if there is any doubt about its safety or quality.
“We value information and clear communication. If a recall is necessary, we will promptly notify our customers. Our recall-related communications go far beyond regulatory requirements; we distribute information through in-store signs, our website, and email alerts.”
What Happens Next?
According to the FDA’s recall notice, customers who purchased this product can return it to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund or discard it.
