OMIC USA Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 06, 2010 – The South Bend Chocolate Company, South Bend, Indiana, is recalling 174 1-lb bags of Bountiful Blend, a blend of chocolate covered mixed nuts and dried fruits, because it contains undeclared cashews, almonds, pecans, and Brazil nuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashews, pecans, almonds or Brazil nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Bountiful Blend was sold via internet sales, mail order and may have been sold nationwide through our distributors to retail stores.

The Bountiful Blend product impacted by the recall is sold under The South Bend Chocolate Company brand name and was produced on or after March 18, 2010. The product under recall is: Bountiful Blend in 1-lb Bags. Products with labels reading Item #154,UPC #644823001549 are subject to this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall was initiated after it was discovered that Bountiful Blend containing cashews, pecans, almonds or Brazil nuts were not listed on the product’s labeling. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by the printing of ingredient statements and was cut off before the listing of nuts printed.

Consumers who have purchased 1-lb bags of Bountiful Blend are urged to contact The South Bend Chocolate Company at 574-233-2577 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Source:  U.S. Food & Drug Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 10, 2010 – CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select containers of Kroger Deluxe Chocolate Paradise Ice Cream sold in 17 states because it may contain tree nuts not listed on the label. Customers should return the product to stores for a full refund or replacement.

People who are allergic to tree nuts could have a serious or life-threatening reaction if they consume this product. For consumers who are not allergic to tree nuts, there is no safety issue with the product.

The product was sold in Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Jay C, Food 4 Less, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana. Other stores Kroger operates under different banner names are not included in this recall.

Item Description:

Kroger is recalling the following ice cream:

• Kroger Deluxe Chocolate Paradise Ice Cream sold in 48-ounce containers with a “sell by” date of Jan 24 11 under the following UPC Code: 11110 50712. This is the only sell-by date affected by this recall.

Kroger is using its Customer Recall Notification system that alerts customers who may have purchased recalled Class 1 products through register receipt tape messages and phone calls.

Consumers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visitwww.kroger.com/recalls.

Source:  U.S. Food & Drug Administration

For Immediate Release

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