Recall Review and Prevention – Rich Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg and Soy in Member’s Mark™ Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

Rich Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg and Soy in Member’s Mark™ Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company’s announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

July 25, 2023

Company Announcement

Rich Products of Buffalo, NY is recalling 15 cases of Member’s Mark Breaded Mozzarella Sticks because they may contain undeclared egg and soy. People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg or soy risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after Rich’s discovered that an incorrect raw material was used during the manufacturing process that introduced egg and soy to the product. Egg and soy do not appear in the ingredient listing on the package.

Review and Recommendations

As mentioned above, there was an error in the process that allowed for the incorrect material to be selected and used in the process.  Although details of the contributing factors that have led to the recall have not been fully disclosed, there are some areas you can look at within your facilities.

Prevention Areas to Review

• Provide detailed training on allergens and allergen management. Be sure to explain the criticality of approved ingredients and provide statistics on the ramifications of undeclared allergens used in the manufacturing process.
• Explain how current Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMPs) can safeguard against the cross-contamination of allergens.
• Use only company-approved and verified suppliers that agree to your company’s policies.
• Review your company’s receiving and ingredient labelling and storage practices and policies.
• Conduct a detailed review of your cleaning and inspection processes to ensure they are effective and identify all of the potential contamination/harborage areas.
• Review primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging practices and policies, especially when opened packaging materials are returned to storage.
• Review and test all systems that prevent the usage of incorrect ingredients (barcode scanners, operator / QA paperwork verification checks, etc.).
• Review your formula management program to ensure it encompasses formula changes.
• Review how graphic and label revisions are managed and how they are executed in the facilities.
• Review all of the SOPs that pertain to allergen management and control.
• Ensure all team members know the company’s communication and escalation policy.

Together we can drive out recalls worldwide!