Hostess Brands has issued a recall of more than 700,000 cases of snacks in the U.S. and Mexico, including Ding Dongs, Chocodiles, Zingers and various doughnuts. The recall covers mutipack boxes and single-serve products. The move is in response to a recall of certain lots of flour from Grain Craft, which is a Hostess supplier, for undeclared peanut residue. Hostess Brands leads sales in the $7 billion baked goods market.
The company’s recall statement says,”While those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume products containing peanut allergens, the amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is considered to be low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers.” Two people have so far reported an allergic reaction after eating one of the treats.
Peanut allergies are most likely to affect children, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, which says that millions of people can develop illnesses such as hay fever as a result of peanut consumption. Peanuts can also cause potentially fatal allergic reactions. Parents and adult consumers need to read food packaging labels carefully. The federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that the word “peanut” must be included on the label of any packaged food products that contain peanuts and are sold in the U.S.
The Hostess recall statement stresses that the recall applies only to the listed products and does not affect all Hostess Brands products. Consumers are encouraged to destroy any recalled items, or return them for a full refund. A recalled product list can be found at the Hostess Brands website.