A cake product has been voluntarily recalled in numerous U.S. states as it may contain an undeclared major allergen.
Supermarket chain Wegmans has announced it is recalling Kalo GF Carrot Cake mislabeled as Gluten Free Chocolate Cake because it contains soy, which was not declared on the product label.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that those with a soy allergy "run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. It is one of nine major allergens that must be declared on all food packaging sold in the U.S., whether it is produced here or abroad.
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Affected products bear a UPC code of 8-53407-00418-4. Wegmans has stores in eight states: Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as one store in the District of Columbia.
The product can be returned to customer services desks at the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers with concerns or questions regarding the product and recall can contact Wegmans Food Markets at 1-855-934-3663 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Soy is one of the nine major allergens designated by the FDA. The others are wheat, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, egg, crustaceans (shellfish), fish and sesame. Millions of Americans have food allergies that are not necessarily limited to foods on this list, but the FDA requires that the nine most common allergens be clearly marked on all products to help people avoid foods that could trigger an allergic reaction.
There are numerous symptoms that indicate when someone is having an allergic reaction to food, but not all have to be present at the same time. These include itching, rashes, hives, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramping, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, and coughing or wheezing.
In the case of a more serious allergic reaction, anaphylaxis can occur, which is a life-threatening medical emergency in which the body's immune system overreacts to the presence of the allergen.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis include throat swelling, difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Anyone who believes they or another person are suffering from anaphylaxis should alert their health-care provider without delay.
Undeclared allergens are a common reason for food recalls in the U.S. In June, chocolate chunk cookies were recalled in numerous states due to containing an undeclared allergen. This week, batches of corn pancakes were recalled as they contain milk, which was not mentioned on the product label.
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Aliss Higham is a Newsweek reporter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her focus is reporting on issues across the U.S., including ... Read more
