By Adeola Adeosun

Copyright newsweek

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday that Georgia Nut Company (GNC), the third-party manufacturer for Tru Fru, LLC, has issued a voluntary recall of specific varieties of its popular Tru Fru freeze-dried strawberry products due to the potential presence of metal.

The recall was initiated following a consumer report that alerted the company. A spokesperson for Tru Fru confirmed the recall to Newsweek and said the snack company was working closely with its retail partners to remove any potentially affected products from stores.

Why It Matters

The potential presence of hard or sharp metal fragments in food products poses serious health risks to consumers.

According to the FDA, foreign metal objects in food can cause traumatic injuries including cuts and tears to mouth tissues, tongue, throat, stomach and intestinal lining, as well as damage to teeth and gums. The recall affects popular snack products widely available across the United States, making it critical for consumers to check their pantries immediately.

What To Know

The affected products include Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries in Dark & White Chocolate in multiple package sizes (1.7-ounce, 3.4-ounce and 13-ounce) and Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries & Crème (3.4-ounce). These products were distributed nationwide and sold at major retailers including Target, Kroger, CVS, H-E-B, Albertson’s, Food Lion and through online platforms like Hungryroot.

Consumers can identify recalled products by checking the 10-digit manufacturing code on the back of the package. The first four digits or letters in this code will indicate whether the product is part of the recall:

Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries in Dark & White Chocolate (3.4-ounce):

Item Number: 10300458

UPC: 850048358270

Recalled codes: 517B, 517C, 517D, 517E, 517F, 518D, 518E, 518F, 519A, 519B, 524A, 524B, 524C, 529C, 529D, 529E, 530C, 530D, 530E, 531A, 531B, 531C, 531D, 531E, 532A, 532B

Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries in Dark & White Chocolate (1.7-ounce):

Item Number: 10300442

UPC: 850048358331

Recalled codes: 514A, 514B, 514C, 514D, 525A, 525B, 525C, 526B, 526C, 526D, 526E, 526F, 521C, 521D, 521E, 522B, 522C, 522D, 522E, 524D, 524E, 525A, 525B, 525C, 525D, 525E, 526A

Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries in Dark & White Chocolate (13-ounce):

Item Number: 10300474

UPC: 850048358379

Recalled codes: 515A, 516B, 516C

Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries & Crème (3.4-ounce):

Item Number: 10300455

UPC: 850048358249

Recalled codes: 520B, 520C, 520D, 520E, 520F, 521A, 524C, 524D, 524E

No injuries or illnesses have been reported. Only these specific products and lot codes are affected by the recall.

Tru Fru, LLC, announced that its third-party manufacturer, Georgia Nut Company (GNC), issued a voluntary recall of specific varieties of Tru Fru freeze dried products due to the potential presence of metal.

What People Are Saying

Dr. Mark Fischer, regional medical director at International SOS, previously told Newsweek: “It can be dangerous to consume metals or other foreign objects found in food… [They] can cause cuts or internal injury and may need to be removed via a surgical procedure. If you swallow any foreign objects, it’s best to consult a health care professional.”

A spokesperson for Tru Fru told Newsweek in an email response on Monday: “Georgia Nut Company (GNC), a third-party manufacturer for Tru Fru has issued a voluntary recall of Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries in Dark & White Chocolate and Tru Fru Freeze Dried Strawberries & Crème due to potential presence of metal in the product. We are working closely with our retail partners to remove any potentially impacted products from stores.”

What Happens Next

Tru Fru, LLC, will work directly with retailers to remove recalled products from store shelves nationwide. Consumers who believe they have purchased recalled items should dispose of the products immediately and avoid consumption.

For consumers seeking refunds or additional information, they can contact Tru Fru customer support at 888-293-7748 or email trufru@rga-inc.com. Those who purchased impacted products and seek reimbursement can visit the company’s dedicated recall website for processing claims.

Additional information about the recall and product safety is available at www.trufru.com. The FDA continues monitoring the issue and will provide updates if additional products or safety concerns emerge.