Copyright Newsweek
A recall of spring rolls sold at Aldi stores due to an undeclared allergen has been issued the highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Tai Foong USA Inc., based in Washington, announced a voluntary recall for a select lot of its Fusia Asian Inspirations Veggie Spring Rolls on October 8 due to undeclared shrimp. The FDA later issued a Class I recall classification on October 28. Newsweek reached out to Tai Foong USA Inc. for comment via email outside of regular working hours. Why It Matters The FDA said that people who have an "allergy or severe sensitivity to shrimp or shellfish run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product." Crustacean shellfish, which includes shrimp, is one of the nine major food allergens as set out in law. The others are milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms such as hives and lip swelling to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems. A Class I risk classification indicates "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the FDA. What To Know The product affected by the recall is the following: Fusia Asian Inspirations Veggie Spring Rolls 10 oz. - UPC code: 4099100222258 - lot code: 70961125137 - best before date: 05/17/2027 The products were distributed exclusively to Aldi stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The recall was launched after it was discovered that certain cases of shrimp spring rolls may have been packaged in boxes labeled as vegetable spring rolls, the FDA said. No other Fusia Asian Inspirations products were affected by the recall. As of October 8, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of the recalled spring rolls. What People Are Saying The FDA said in its recall notice: "The cause of this labeling error is being investigated. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with ALDI and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." The FDA says on its website: "People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food." Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, the director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: "Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there's like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods." What Happens Next The recall is ongoing, according to the FDA. Consumers who purchased the affected product have been urged to dispose of it or return it to their place of purchase for a full refund.
