Combos Join Peanut Scare Recall
By Debra Goldschmidt
PHILADELPHIA (CNN) -- Mars Chocolate North America announced the voluntary recall of some Combos pretzel and cracker snacks this week due to the potential for these products to contain peanut residue. There is no warning on the label of these snacks.
The recalled products include Combos Cheddar Cheese Pretzel, Combos Cheddar Cheese Cracker, Combos Pizzeria Pretzel, Combos Sweet and Salty Caramel Pretzel, Combos Pepperoni Cracker and Combos Buffalo Pretzel with "best before" dates between March 2017 and April 2017. The full list of products, which were distributed nationwide and internationally, along with item codes, is available at the company website.
The recall was prompted by a flour recall initiated in April by the company's flour supplier, Grain Craft. That company issued a recall after detecting peanut residue in some wheat flour. The flour in question is from one mill in Georgia and was grown in the South, where peanuts are also produced, according to the company. They do not produce or use any peanut products in the facility. Grain Craft said its recall was issued out of an abundance of caution to keep the affected products from reaching consumers.
Kellogg Co. issued a recall of some of its treats Tuesday because it too used flour from Grain Craft that was recalled. The cookies and brownies subject to this recall were sold under the brands Keebler, Famous Amos, Kellogg's Special K, Mother's and Murray.
Similarly, Frito-Lay recalled some of its Rold Gold brand pretzels, including Tiny Twists, Thins, Sticks and Honey Wheat Braided. Hostess Brands recalled 71,000 cases of its snack cakes -- including Ding Dongs and Zinger snacks -- and doughnuts earlier in the month. In April, CSM Bakery announced a recall of its 8-inch single-layer red velvet cake sold at Safeway stores. It also recalled 12-inch decorated chocolate chip cookies sold at Acme and Jewel stores because of the flour mill.
Products with flour that contains peanut residue can cause an allergic reaction if consumed by individuals with peanut allergies.
About 2% of adults in the United States and 5% of children suffer from food allergies, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food allergies result in an estimated 30,000 emergency room visits and 150 deaths each year.
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