The recalled Elsie Grace’s products were distributed in KS, NE, MO, NC, OH, IN, AR, KY, PA, OK, IL, SD, IA, WV, MI, to retail gift shops and food retailers.

Elsie Grace’s Dry Food Products are packaged as follows. Dip mixes are packed in clear, safety sealed, rectangular packs with the label stapled to it. They are not marked with any codes, UPC numbers, or dates. The ingredients are listed on the back. Dry soups are sealed in clear safety bags and then placed in a plastic lined craft paper bag. The ingredient labeling is attached to the back of the craft paper bag.

Any retailers still having any unsold products will be supplied with new corrected ingredient labels for all packages. Consumers will be able to return the product to retailers for full refund or package replacement. Replacement labeling will be identified with an asterisk (*) at the end of the ingredients.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

This recall was initiated when it was discovered some of Elsie Grace’s Dry Food Products do not declare ingredients that are allergens. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem occurred in the company’s packaging process. Elsie Grace’s Dry Food Company has changed their labels to ensure customer safety.

Consumers who have purchased Elsie Grace’s Dry Food products are urged to return the product for full refund or replacement. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-785-292-4438 between the hours of 9am to 5pm CST Monday through Friday, or contact us at elsiegraces@yahoo.com.

Affected Products:

Elsie Grace’s Zippy Bacon Dip Mix, net weight .12-oz., and Elsie Grace’s It’s Smokin’ Dip Mix, net weight .08-oz., use imitation bacon bits which contain soy and wheat ingredients. The beef base packets in the dip mixes contain milk and soy ingredients.

Elsie Grace’s Cheesy Onion Dip Mix, net weight .08-oz., contains packets of beef base which contain milk and soy ingredients.

Elsie Grace’s Hearty Potato Soup Mix, net weight 10.6-oz., contains milk, soy, and wheat ingredients.

Elsie Grace’s Spuds and Cheese Soup Mix, net weight 10.6-oz., contains milk and soy ingredients.

Elsie Grace’s Broccoli and Cheese Soup Mix, no net weight on packages, contains milk and soy ingredients.

Elsie Grace’s White Chili Soup Mix, net weight 9.9 oz., contains milk and soy ingredients.

Source: USFDA

Additionally, La Fiesta Food Products, Inc., is voluntarily recalling Dried Shredded Shrimp products sold under the label Mi Pueblo.

Dried Shredded Shrimp are sold in the following packages:

The voluntary recall was initiated after sampling and lab analysis revealed the presence of sulfites in Dried Shredded Shrimp; the allergen warning was not printed on the labels. The new labels will state “Allergen Information: Contains Sulfites.”

No illnesses have been reported to date. As a precautionary and voluntary measure, consumers allergic to sulfites are urged to return these products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

La Fiesta Foods, Inc., has been in business since 1954. La Fiesta maintains strict quality controls on all its products. Customers can continue to expect the highest quality products from La Fiesta, as they have for the last 57 years.

Source: USFDA

RAW Organic Food Bar Chocolatey Chocolate Chip was distributed nationally in USA and Canada. The product reached consumers through retail stores, mail order, direct delivery etc. The affected products listed below were shipped in 12 pack cartons to each outlet or direct to consumers.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product contained peanut allergen through cross contamination of raw materials. The firm is investigating if the affected products contained peanut allergen through cross contamination of raw materials by one of our vendors since at the time we were a peanut free facility. We have since changed our suspected vendor of cashew butter and our new vendor has dedicated cashew line and claims no chance of cross contamination.

Consumers who have purchased RAW Organic Food Bar Chocolatey Chocolate Chip with the lot # and exp dates mentioned above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may also contact the company at 1 800 246 4685, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm PST.

Source: USFDA

Contact:  John Lupean, Lab Manager
E-mail:  j.lupean@omicusa.com
Phone:  503-223-1497 ext: 13

A Fresh Look At Food Safety

Oregon-based food safety laboratory adds new testing that simplifies the sometimes-confusing world of food quality and consumer safety.

PORTLAND, Oregon – April 5, 2010 -  Amidst the recent media hype around foodborne illness and massive product recalls, one analytical laboratory is taking a stance to shed new light on the often confusing and little known world of food testing and safety.  OMIC USA Inc., an industry veteran that has helped deliver safe products to the world market for over a decade, is determined to heighten awareness of food safety issues among producers and consumers alike.

In response to an increasing number of food recalls and growing concerns among consumers, OMIC USA Inc. has added additional offerings to its strong lineup of tests to meet consumer demand.  These new areas of testing now include 1) allergen testing for soy, wheat, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts, as well as 2) PCR-based microbiological testing to ensure safer consumer products.

OMIC USA Inc. has a long history of fighting on the front lines of consumer safety and is the recipient of analytical certifications from highly respected international organizations.  Specializing in Pesticides and Herbicides, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Microbiology, and Nutrition testing, the company has helped countless farmers, processors, and packagers deliver safe food to tables in more than a dozen countries.

“Understanding how food safety works doesn’t have to be difficult,” explained Mathew Ladd, Sales and Marketing Representative for OMIC USA Inc.  “People just need a good source that is simple to use and interact with.  We’ve spend months listening to client needs and developed a great resource with our new website that addresses many concerns about getting commercial products tested.”

Food testing encompasses all areas of supply, from farmers to major brand retailers selling processed products. In all cases, there is a need to practice safety measures that ensure consumers are receiving the safest goods available.  Independent testing laboratories like OMIC USA Inc. are imperative for making such practices possible and for maintaining a higher standard of accountability that is important for every producer.

About OMIC UCA Inc.
Offering analytical food testing since 1992, OMIC USA Inc. is an independent analytical testing laboratory comprising leading scientific minds and state-of-the-art instrumentation for detection and reporting of potentially harmful contaminants.  To learn more about food safety and practices, certifications, or general information, please visit our website at www.omicusa.com or contact us by phone at 503-223-1497.

OMIC USA Inc.
3344 NW Industrial St., Portland, OR 97210
Phone:  503-223-1497
Fax: 503-223-9436
www.omicusa.com