More than 650 pounds of uncooked meat products are under recall due to potential inclusion of a dangerous allergen, as per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
M&P Production LTD is recalling approximately 669 pounds of uncooked lamb and beef samsa items “due to mislabeling and failure to disclose an allergen,” according to a USDA recall notification issued on Wednesday. The product contains sesame seeds, which were not properly listed on the product packaging, as stated in the notification.
Sesame ranks as the ninth most prevalent food allergy among both children and adults in the U.S., impacting around 0.23 percent of Americans, according to the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization.
A samsa visual is shown in the image. There is a recall on meat-filled samsa products due to potential sesame content. SergeyKlopotov iStock / Getty Images Plus
In the event of sesame allergy exposure, individuals may experience a spectrum of reactions ranging from mild, like hives, to severe, such as anaphylaxis—an abrupt and life-threatening systemic allergic response. Those with sesame allergies are advised to carry an epinephrine injection device at all times, as epinephrine serves as the primary treatment for anaphylaxis, according to FARE.
The frozen, uncooked lamb and beef samsa products subject to recall were manufactured between January 2 and February 22, 2024, according to the USDA. These products have a shelf life of up to two years and were distributed to retail outlets in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Two specific items are included in the recall, both bearing the establishment number “EST. 18832” within the USDA inspection mark.
The first item is a 16-ounce tray package wrapped in plastic, labeled “samsa halal” with a use before date falling between January 2 and February 22, 2025.
The second item is a 12-ounce tray package wrapped in plastic, labeled “M&P delicacies lamb dumplings lamb samsa” with a use before date ranging from January 2 to February 22, 2025.
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is worried that some of the product may be present in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these items are advised not to consume them. The products should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase,” as stated in the notification.
No adverse reactions linked to the consumption of these products have been reported, and the USDA encourages individuals with concerns about potential illnesses to contact a healthcare provider, according to the alert.
Newsweek attempted to contact M&P Production for comment via email.
The year 2024 has already seen several announcements of recalls, raising concerns among Americans regarding their increasing frequency. Research conducted by life sciences software company MasterControl in December revealed a 115 percent surge in food recalls issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the FDA since 2018.