Biscuit Recall Update as FDA Issues Risk Warning

A recall of various biscuit products due to a labeling error has received a risk warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Shang Hao Jia Inc. in California issued a voluntary recall for select lots of three varieties of soda biscuits on July 21 as the labels did not declare all the allergen ingredients: whole milk powder and wheat. The FDA later issued a Class III risk classification for the recall on August 11.

Newsweek contacted Shang Hao Jia Inc. for comment by phone outside regular working hours.

Why It Matters

A Class III risk classification represents a situation “in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”

Milk and wheat are two of the nine major food allergens as defined in U.S. law. The others are eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans and sesame.

Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.

What To Know

These are the affected products:

Soda Biscuit Rye Flavor—4,800 units, with the UPC 6 970425 865055
Soda Biscuit Sea Salt Fresh Milk Flavor—4,800 units, with the UPC 6 970425 865031
Soda Biscuit Quinoa Chia Seed Flavor—4,800 units, with the UPC 6 970425 865048

The products were distributed to six wholesale supermarkets in California. They were manufactured by Zhejiang Dingdian Industry Co. Ltd.

As of August 11, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the recalled products.

What People Are Saying

The Mayo Clinic said on its website: “Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It’s one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow’s milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction.

“An allergic reaction usually occurs soon after you or your child consumes milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis—a severe, life-threatening reaction.”

The Food and Drug Administration said on its website: “People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”

Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, the director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: “Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there’s like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods.”