The problem was identified following a change of prescription of an external supplier component, which was not notified to the company resulting in no revision of the label
The change in the sauce recipe of one of the suppliers, led a large company to recall more than 63,000* ready-to-eat packages from supermarkets and restaurants following the finding of an unreported allergenic fish in the product. The investigation of the case showed that one Supplier modified one component recipe used in the recipe. Specifically, mollusk extract was replaced by bonito extract. This change was not notified to the company in time, so that the label of the final product was not revised to include the mandatory warning for fish allergen.
According to estimates of the food market and based on the volume of products withdrawn, total economic costs for the company may vary from several hundred thousand to over $1 million, taking into account the withdrawal, product refunds, corrective actions and operating costs of withdrawal. The recall was made in the U.S. by Azuma Foods International Inc., and is a marinated octopus with wasabi named Taka Wasabi. Azuma Foods is an international food group, active in the production and distribution of seafood products and Japanese cuisine to markets in Asia, North America and Europe.
This case is a typical example of a risk that may arise from uncontrolled changes of raw materials in the supply chain. In the food industry, every prescription amendment, even where it concerns small quantities of ingredients or auxiliaries, it requires an immediate assessment of the effects on labelling, allergen declarations and market regulatory requirements on which the product is available.
The presence of unreported allergens is among the most frequent causes of food recall worldwide. Risks are not limited to involuntary contamination in the production process but include changes in raw material specification, suppliers management errors, poor communication between cooperating undertakings, failures in label review and deficiencies in change control mechanisms.
In order to prevent such incidents, food business operators shall apply allergen management systems that include regular verification of raw material specifications, contractual information obligations by suppliers in the event of composition changes, input controls, review of allergen declarations prior to each production and systematic internal compliance checks. Continuous monitoring of suppliers and risk assessment of any prescription change are key tools for maintaining food safety.
For consumers without an allergy to fish, the product is not associated with a known toxicological or microbiological risk based on the information made public. However, for people with allergic or severe sensitivity to fish, consumption of a product containing an unreported fish ingredient may cause allergic reactions of varying gravity. Symptoms may occur within minutes or hours after consumption and include itching, rash, urticaria, swelling in the lips or face, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, wheezing, blood pressure drop and anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reaction is an emergency medical condition requiring immediate treatment.
Consumers who know they are allergic to fish were asked not to consume affected lots and return the product to the market for a refund. Those who have already consumed the product and experienced symptoms of an allergic reaction should seek immediate medical assistance, especially if respiratory difficulties or signs of severe systemic reaction occur.
*Η ανάκληση αφορά συνολικά 545 κιβώτια λιανικής πώλησης, τα οποία περιείχαν 12 συσκευασίες τριών τεμαχίων ανά κιβώτιο. Με βάση τα στοιχεία της εταιρείας, η ποσότητα αντιστοιχεί σε περίπου 6.540 συσκευασίες λιανικής, οι οποίες περιείχαν συνολικά περίπου 19.620 ατομικές μερίδες προϊόντος. Παράλληλα, η ανάκληση επεκτάθηκε και στον τομέα της μαζικής εστίασης, όπου διακινήθηκαν 3.616 κιβώτια προϊόντος των 2,2 λιβρών με 12 μονάδες ανά κιβώτιο.
Το προϊόν που ανακλήθηκε
Cibum is a specialized food safety information site. The information in the article is informative. For more details Press HERE.
ΔΕΙΤΕ ΕΠΙΣΗΣ
