U.S. officials have issued a public health alert after a batch of Hans Kissle Co. LLC chicken salads were found to contain the wrong product and undeclared allergens.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the product—labelled “Cranberry Chicken Salad”—may actually contain the “Classic Chicken Salad,” which contains wheat.
The affected product was produced on September 20, 2024, and has a use-by date of October 25, with an establishment number of P-7573 printed on its lid. The batch was shipped to retailers in Connecticut Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York.
FSIS has warned consumers with wheat allergies to avoid the product. However, they added that a recall has not been requested because the affected product was no longer available to purchase.
Newsweek have contacted Hans Kissle Co. LLC via email for comment.
“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators,” the agency said in a statement.
“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”
According to the FSIS, the problem was discovered after a customer complained that packages labeled as Cranberry Chicken Salad in fact contained the Classic Chicken Salad.
However, they added that there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Even so, they added that anyone concerned about an illness should contact their health provider.
The map below shows the locations where the salads were distributed.
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An allergy to wheat is one of the most common food allergies, affecting as many as 1.3 percent of the world’s population, the Cleveland Clinic reports.
Common symptoms include hives, rash, nausea, and other gastrointestinal issues. However, in severe cases, wheat exposure in those affected can result in anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis can be treated using an epinephrine injection—also known as an EpiPen. Epinephrine is a naturally occurring molecule in our bodies that is more commonly known as adrenaline, the hormone that regulates our fight-or-flight response.
This hormone plays a crucial role in controlling the contraction and relaxation of our muscles, as well as regulating our blood flow, helping to reverse the dangerous symptoms of anaphylaxis.
If you suffer from severe allergies, it is important to carry your epinephrine injection with you.
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