PLANO, TEXAS — Frito-Lay North America, Inc., a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., has initiated a voluntary recall of certain varieties and lots of Rold Gold pretzels due to the potential presence of an undeclared allergen.
Product varieties affected by the recall are Rold Gold Tiny Twists, Rold Gold Thins, Rold Gold Sticks and Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided. Only certain package sizes are affected by the recall, which also is limited to products with “guaranteed fresh dates” ranging from June 28-Aug. 23, 2016. The recalled pretzels also may be found in certain multipack offerings.
“The recall is the direct result of a recent recall by a Frito-Lay supplier of certain lots of flour for undeclared peanut residue,” Frito-Lay said. As of June 7, Frito-Lay said it had received no reports of illness in connection with the recalled products.
The flour recall was the latest in a series announced in recent weeks by users of soft wheat flour. About a month ago, CSM North America and several of its customers announced the recall of a range of products because of the possible presence of undeclared peanuts. On June 4, Hostess Brands L.L.C. recalled more than 700,000 cases of snack cakes and donuts for the same reason.
The Hostess recall specifically cited the presence of peanuts in Grain Craft flour as the cause for the recall. Frito-Lay did not specifically cite the supplier involved. Grain Craft issued a statement June 7 regarding the episode. The company said it learned April 26 of the “intermittent” presence of peanut in wheat flour supplied by one of the company’s flour mills in Georgia.
Grain Craft operates two flour mills in Georgia, a 15,000 cwt (daily capacity) flour mill in Barnesville, and a 4,800 cwt mill in Rome. The Rome facility also includes bakery mix manufacturing capability. Barnesville is about 120 miles southeast of Rome.
Grain Craft identified soft red winter wheat grown in the peanut producing regions of the South as the source of the allergen. The flour milled from the wheat was shipped to numerous customers.
“As of April 30, Grain Craft ceased using the wheat in question and subsequent F.D.A. testing did not show the presence of peanut protein in flour from our south Georgia mill,” the company said. “In addition, F.D.A. fully inspected our south Georgia facility and did not indicate any concerns with the mill’s operations. All of our milling processes have been and continue to be in compliance with all F.D.A. and U.S.D.A. milling standards.”
In response to the findings, Grain Craft said it has issued a voluntary recall “with our customers of all affected flour.”
Grain Craft noted the company does not use or produce peanuts or peanut products in any of its mills and also does not produce any consumer products.
The company said it is no longer milling wheat from the area that was the source of the wheat containing the traces of peanut.
“The wheat was grown in a peanut producing region of the South,” the company said.
“These recent recalls bring to light the challenge of agricultural cross-contact, which is the result of customary methods of growing, harvesting and shipping wheat and other agricultural products,” Grain Craft said. “Grain Craft has taken the lead in driving this industry-wide discussion for our customers and their consumers.”
