Peter Okoye, PBA Journalism Mentee
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public over four suspected peanut butter hot chocolate products, that may contain undeclared peanuts.
This was made know through a statement on the NAFDAC website, stating that people who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume the products as it was not declared on the products’ labels.
The products, made by Corim Industries, USA of Brick, New Jersey, are being voluntarily recalled, following the public alert that peanut butter hot chocolate products may contain undeclared peanuts.
The four suspended products are: Cocoa de Aroma, Smart Sips, Jersey Charm, and Colonial Coffee.
The products share the same size, which is 12 ct single-serve coffee with an expiry date of June 2023.
The recall came as a result of the discovery that a substitute flavouring ingredient from a different supplier may include trace amounts of peanut that were not disclosed to downstream partners on the label of the final product or the bulk label.
Coram’s tests, however, revealed that the amounts could be below the threshold for detection. The fundamental reason was later determined by the company’s research team to be a brief malfunction in the supplier documentation procedure. The procedure has been changed, and the business has implemented extra safety checks and remedial measures, which include ceasing to utilize this flavouring component.
“Even though the items are not included in the NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are urged to be vigilant throughout the supply chain to prevent the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the recalled peanut butter hot chocolate. It is important to thoroughly inspect the items’ physical integrity and legitimacy,” the agency stated.
The agency further urged customers who have bought the concerned items but have a peanut allergy not to consume them and instead to send their stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
Meanwhile, no illnesses or deaths have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
