Whole Foods Market® Issues Recall on 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Popcorn, Lightly Salted

Please know that I am not the alarmist type. I get no thrill from posting information that stirs up fear or anger in folks. I can’t stand that style of crappy reporting.

So when I read the following report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. I genuinely was concerned for all my friends and readers up North, on the West coast and out East. If you’re allergic to milk products and you buy 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Popcorn, Lightly Salted, then go check your popcorn box.

Straight from the U.S.F.D.A. report:

Contact:
Libba Letton
512-542-3038
Libba.letton@wholefoods.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — AUSTIN, Texas — August 14, 2008 — Whole Foods Market today is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn, Lightly Salted because it may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The popcorn in these packages was incorrectly flavored with a white cheddar seasoning which includes milk ingredients; the seasoning may not be visibly apparent. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

This product was distributed to and sold in Whole Foods Market retail stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

The product is sold in a blue and white 5 ounce bag with a picture of popcorn in a red and white container. The product is labeled as 365 Organic Everyday Value Organic Popcorn, Lightly Salted with a UPC of 9948240552. The recalled product’s lot code is stamped on the front top right corner and reads “Sell By 10/28/08″ or “Sell By 10/29/08″.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product containing milk ingredients was incorrectly packaged in bags that did not reveal the presence of milk ingredients. Subsequent investigations indicate the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the producer’s packaging processes.

Consumers who have purchased 365 Organic Popcorn Lightly Salted with a lot code of “Sell By 10/28/08″ or “Sell By 10/29/08″ are urged to return it to any Whole Foods Market for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 512-542-0656.