A range of garlic bread baguettes is being recalled due to the presence of undeclared allergens.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled 2,000 units of Lidl’s “Chef Select 2 Garlic Baguettes Filled With Garlic Butter” because they contain undeclared wheat and milk. The FDA requires that any of the nine major allergens must be labeled on product packaging.
This frozen product, sold in duo packs, was available only in East Coast states: Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington DC.
All affected products have a best-by date of December 22, 2024, and a barcode number of 4056489447559. The recall includes the following lot codes:
- E LV 23 266
- E LK 21 267
- E LV 23 267
- E CA 26 267
- E RO 24 267
A Lidl U.S. spokesperson told Newsweek, “This voluntary recall was issued due to undeclared allergens in the product as a result of non-English ingredient labeling. Lidl U.S. has received no reports or complaints of illness related to this product to date.”
Earlier this week, the product was given a Class II risk definition by the FDA. A Class II recall indicates a situation where the use of 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. It is the second most serious class that can be awarded to a food product recall.
The FDA emphasizes that food-based allergies are a “significant public health concern” with allergic reactions varying from gastrointestinal disturbances and skin irritations to anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, and death.
Symptoms of allergic reactions caused by food include rashes, hives, itching, vomiting and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramping, swelling of the throat and vocal cords, and coughing or wheezing.
A severe allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical emergency. Symptoms include a severe drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness, all requiring urgent medical attention.
Anyone who believes they or another person may be suffering from a severe allergic reaction should seek emergency help immediately.
The FDA warns that “symptoms of anaphylaxis may start out as relatively mild, but, if not treated promptly, symptoms can become life-threatening in a short amount of time.”
The other seven major food allergens designated by the FDA are soybeans, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, eggs, peanuts, and sesame. These are the foods most likely to cause an allergic reaction, though the list is not comprehensive.
People with Coeliac Disease cannot consume wheat, as it causes their bodies to attack healthy cells when gluten is consumed.