See’s Candies, a nationwide manufacturer of candy products, has issued
a recall of a line of raisins covered with both milk and dark chocolateafter concerns were raised regarding potential allergic reactions to the candy.
Retail workers are reported to have discovered a pecan in a pack of the candy, according to the FDA. The raisins are processed in a factory that handles eggs and nuts, but See’s failed to note this—a potential allergen hazard, as many people are allergic to such food and should be warned before consuming anything processed with the same equipment. No allergic reactions have yet been reported, but customers are being offered a full refund of the product.
Nuts are a common source of allergic attacks. Peanuts, for instance, are among the “Big 8” group of foods that account for
90% of allergic attacks in the country; roughly 1% of Americans suffer from peanut allergies. Egg allergies are also common, and according to a survey, 75% of those who were allergic to eggs were also allergic to peanuts.
Companies need to be responsible and diligent in labeling their food products that may contain potentially-hazardous foods for those with adverse reactions to certain food types, particularly food companies that ship their products over long distances and across vast areas, given that they reach many consumers and may potentially sicken a wide customer base.
