A notable food recall has emerged as Hearthside Food Solutions, based in Salt Lake City, pulls nearly 500,000 pounds of breakfast sandwiches from distribution. This action follows a misbranding issue identified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Details of the Recall

The affected products include various kinds of ready-to-eat breakfast sandwiches featuring both sausage and bacon. Specifically, the recall impacts:

• 8.35-ounce film-wrapped “LETTIERI’S FOOD TO GO Sausage, Egg & Cheese FRENCH TOAST BREAKFAST SANDWICH” with lot codes 23, 24, and 25 up to 2508451.
• 7.3-ounce film-wrapped “LETTIERI’S FOOD TO GO Bacon, Egg & Cheese FRENCH TOAST BREAKFAST SANDWICH” with the same lot codes.

Health Concerns and Consumer Advice

The primary concern surrounding this recall is sesame content, which poses a significant health risk to those with specific allergies. While sesame seeds are not present in the sandwiches, a component used—sesame flour—was not disclosed in the ingredient list on the packaging.

According to the USDA, “The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that the French toast component of their breakfast sandwiches contained sesame flour, but it was not included in the list of ingredients on the label.” This oversight can have serious implications for consumers with sesame allergies.

Distribution and Recommendations

Many of these sandwiches were sent to military facilities across the United States under the Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES). The USDA has expressed concerns that such products may still be present in consumers’ homes, urging that anyone who has purchased these items should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

The USDA advises, “These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.” If consumers have any health-related concerns after consuming these products, they are encouraged to contact a healthcare provider.

Conclusion

This recall serves as a vital reminder of the importance of proper labeling in food safety. As the situation develops, consumers are encouraged to stay informed on food recalls that could impact their health and safety.

For ongoing updates, more information can be found on the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service website.