Burrito Recall and Owner Reactions to Allergens

Yesterday, we saw another Listeria recall from a Colorado firm that sells products in 7-Eleven stores. This brings up a thought to me as I read the recall. What happens if you cannot read English? Did the 7-Eleven stores post this in all their stores effected by the recall?



Colorado Firm Recalls Burrito Products For Possible Listeria Contamination

Recall Release
CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-053-2008
HEALTH RISK: HIGHCongressional and Public Affairs(202) 720-9113Roger Sockman WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2008 - Home Fresh Sandwich Distributors, Inc., a Denver, Colo., firm, is recalling approximately 172 pounds of burrito products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The following product is subject to recall:
5.3-ounce packages of "7- ELEVEN Fresh to Go BURRITO WITH POTATOES, BACON, EGGS, & MONTEREY JACK CHEESE" with a "Best By" date of "Thursday 1225." The products bear the establishment number "EST. 19496" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The burrito products were produced on Dec. 23, 2008, and sold at retail convenience stores in Colorado. Consumers may have purchased these burrito products on Dec. 24 and 25, 2008.

In Chicago, the Chicago Tribune investigated labelling of retail food products for allergens and compared this with product testing.
They discovered 117 products that contained allergens that were not identified on the label as required by food labeling laws.
When they approached the manufacturer, most said that they would investigate and make the necessary changes. Some indicated they would not recall the product. One said that a recall would put them out of business.

Where do consumer expectations and manufacturer and retail requirements come into alignment?

As a consumer, what do you expect? Do you care? Do you read the label? Do you trust what you read?

As a manufacturer, how much liability can you stand? Why wouldn't you label your products as required by regulations?

As a retailer, what do you have in place to remove recalled items from sale and notify your customers?

Be safe,
Rudy