John Soules Foods, Inc. Recalls Chicken Products Due to Undeclared Allergens

This isn’t exactly breaking news, but while I was on vacation this week it looks like John Soules Foods, Inc. recalled their chicken strips after discovering an undeclared allergen.   In reading through the recall notice, it looks like the allergen was in fact wheat, which is something that could affect Celiacs nationwide.

If you’ve purchased any of their chicken strips recently, here is the information you need, courtesy of the USDA’s official website:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2008 - John Soules Foods, Inc., a Tyler, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 8,496 pounds of cooked chicken strip products. The chicken products may contain an undeclared allergen, wheat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. Wheat is a known allergen, which is not declared on the label.

The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels, PDF Only]

* 24-ounce bags of “John Soules Foods FULLY COOKED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT, Italian Style, GLUTEN FREE.” Each bag bears the establishment number “P-2128″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. Additionally, the UPC code “034695 123973″ as well as the “USE BY” date of “Dec 27 08″ or “Jan 2 09″ are included on the back of the bag.
* 24-ounce bags of “John Soules Foods FULLY COOKED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT, Rotisserie Style, GLUTEN FREE.” Each bag bears the establishment number “P-2128″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. Additionally, the UPC code “034695 123980″ as well as the “USE BY” date of “Dec 27 08″ or “Jan 2 09″ are included on the back of the bag.

The chicken products were produced on Nov. 7 and 13, 2008, and were distributed to retail establishments in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The problem was discovered by the company. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an allergic reaction should contact a physician.

Media with questions about the recall should contact company Senior Vice President Tom Ellis at (903) 363-1120. Consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Director of Quality Assurance Mark Andersen at (903) 245-3208.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

The good news is this company has recognized their error and has taken the steps necessary to minimize the damage.