Cheerios Recall and 10 Reasons I Am Mad at General Mills

Yesterday General Mills recalled 1.8 million boxes of Cheerios due to undeclared wheat. According to General Mills, "In an isolated incident involving purely human error, wheat flour was inadvertently introduced into our gluten-free oat flour system at Lodi." You can read the entire Class I product recall press release here. 

According to the FDA website, a Class I recall is "Dangerous or defective products that predictably could cause serious health problems or death. Examples include: food found to contain botulinum toxin, food with undeclared allergens, a label mix-up on a lifesaving drug, or a defective artificial heart valve."

I am livid by this whole situation. First and foremost, General Mills put wheat flour into a product that was supposed to be gluten-free. Period. WHEAT IS NOT GLUTEN-FREE. This is gluten and celiac disease 101. How did "human error" allow for enough wheat flour to be introduced into the production process to affect 1.8 million boxes of Cheerios? Did not one single person notice trucks with wheat entering the facility??

I have SO much to say about this topic and honestly am so angry by the whole thing. If you follow me on Twitter, you will see I have not kept quite about this nor will I. This is very serious. If 1% of the population has celiac disease and 1.8  million boxes have been recalled, this means that 18,000 people with celiac disease could have been affected by this recall. Add on top of that people with wheat allergies, non-celiac sensitivities, and anaphylaxis reactions to wheat and the numbers of the potentially affected could continue to grow to tens of thousands.


Here are my Top 10 Reasons I Am Livid at General Mills


All screenshots below either come from the General Mills blog, the Cheerios Facebook page, or the press release.  My apologies to Mr. Kevin Hunt who unfortunately is the spokesperson in this mess. Don't shoot the messenger! 

1. General Mills has divided the celiac community. Our celiac disease community is small compared to other health communities, but we have strong voices. When something like this happens, the opinions and nasty comments start flying. Our community becomes an "Us" vs "Them" society. There are those of us who were upset about the gluten-free Cheerios to begin with and those who became "Cheerios Cheerleaders." My first blog post ignited some VERY strong emails and comments. I was practically in tears with some of the emails people were writing me telling me off for talking poorly about their beloved Cheerios. I was reporting facts based on my phone call yet people didn't want to hear the truth. I then saw other celiac bloggers start to publicly bash one another on Twitter and Facebook. These are people that I respect(ed) blatantly hurting other celiacs with nasty words and accusatory statements. During a time where we should be banding together to help each other, General Mills hurt our community more than just with wheat. GM divided us when we need to be united.
   
   
2. Testing for gluten is obviously not being done properly or at all. When I spoke to the GM PR/marketing team on September 15th, they told me that gluten-free Cheerios were tested "multiple times" throughout the production process including at the end of the process. How did 1.8 million boxes leave the GM facility without testing? If the wheat flour was introduced at the beginning of the production cycle, how did these boxes make it all the way to the end without ever being tested? The GM PR team admits the finished 1.8 million boxes were not tested.
3. This is not an isolated incident. This Cheerios recall is a NATIONAL RECALL. The Cheerios in question were produced in Lodi, California but distributed nationwide. There is a lot of misinformation out there in the gluten-free social media world saying this is only a recall for Cheerios sold in California. This is not true. The recalled Cheerios products were shipped across the country!
   
   
4. People have reported having gluten reactions to Cheerios, yet GM denied this claim. During my 9/15 call when I asked about the reports of people having a gluten reaction to Cheerios, the PR team told me that people were either reacting to the increased fiber in their diet or the oats themselves. Yesterday's recall explicitly reported that wheat was present in 1.8 million boxes of Cheerios. Yet, General Mills continues to use oat intolerance or other dietary restrictions as an excuse as to why people are getting sick despite admitting to wheat present in their product.
   
   
5. General Mills had a very slow response time to reports of illness. While I understand that on Sunday, testing confirmed the presence of gluten and the recall was issued within 24 hours. What I don't understand is that people have been reporting a gluten-type response to Cheerios for about a month now and General Mills only addressed those concerns this week. What took so long?
   
   
6. General Mills is embarrassed. Shitting your pants is more embarrassing. During one of my absolute worst glutening episodes about 7 years ago, I was so sick that I was vomiting and having diarrhea at the same time. I was so violently ill that I had to crawl to the bathroom and during that crawl, my body was rejecting the gluten from every single orifice possible. Here I was a grown woman writhing in pain on the floor and not even able to make it to the toilet. I was that sick and it was awful. Now imagine 1.8 million people with celiac disease having a similar reaction or even worse. It is beyond embarrassing, it is downright mortifying. Don't tell me you are embarrassed Mr. Jim Murphy until you have crawled a mile in my glutened shoes.
   
   
7. General Mills violated the trust of the celiac community. Read any of the Cheerios responses on their Facebook page. They know they lost the trust of many thousands of people with celiac disease. They admit this over and over again. I believe they have lost a LOT of customers due to this recall.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. How did General Mills clean up after this mistake? I posted this to the Cheerios blog but my question hasn't been answered yet. If GM had enough wheat flour to affect 1.8 million boxes of cereal, how did they clean the facility to ensure this would not happen again? I want to know how Cheerios and General Mills were able to clean away the wheat flour in their facility.
   
   
9. What happened to the gluten-free trucks? During my call on 9/15, I was told that General Mills used dedicated gluten-free rail cars or trucks to transport the oat flour and the product. According to this press release, the rail cars at the Lodi facility were unavailable and flour was being off-loaded into trucks. Would use of the dedicated gluten-free trucks have avoided this recall? We may never know!
   
   
   
   
   
10. Cheerios made people sick. End of story. Celiac Disease is not a joke and autoimmune reactions to gluten can be severe. It is inexcusable that so many people have reported illness due to eating Cheerios. Whether General Mills did a recall or not, they need to take ALL reports of reaction very seriously and not just from the batches of contaminated product made in Lodi.

***

If you got sick from eating Cheerios, YOU MUST contact General Mills and the FDA. Here is how:

Contact General Mills by website, email, phone, fax, or letter. I encourage you calling them directly. Whichever method you use, the box information is critical to your complaint. Do not throw away your box! Keep everything and read them everything they ask for during your complaint. 

General Mills Customer Service: http://consumercontacts.generalmills.com/ConsolidatedContact.aspx?page=http://www.generalmills.com&js=True

Contact the FDA by phone or website. This information comes directly from the Gluten-Free Watchdog website: 

If you believe you became ill after eating Cheerios, FDA is asking that you contact FDA’s MEDWATCH, the Adverse Event Reporting System. You can do this online https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.homeor via phone (800) 332-1088. Choose option #4 to speak to a representative.

DeBoles Recall of Gluten-Free Corn Pasta

DeBoles(R) Nutritional Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls One Lot Code of DeBoles(R) Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta Due to the Presence of an Undeclared Allergen, Lot Code 30JUN11D1

SHREVEPORT, La., July 22, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/

DeBoles Nutritional Foods, Inc. announced that it is recalling one lot code of DeBoles(R) Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta because it may contain undeclared whole wheat alphabet pasta. People who are allergic to wheat run the risk of an allergic reaction, which may be serious or life-threatening if they consume the recalled product.

The recalled lot was distributed to stores nationwide and through internet orders.

The product comes in a cardboard box, 8.5 ounce, with a clear plastic window.

The expiration lot code is on the top of the box and the UPC Code 087336638305 appears on the bottom of the box. No other lot codes are affected. This recall only affects: DEBOLES KIDS ONLY! GLUTEN FREE TUBETTINI CORN PASTA Lot code: 30JUN11D1 No illnesses have been reported in connection with this product. It appears that certain product boxes in lot code 30JUN11D1 may contain whole wheat alphabet pasta mixed with the gluten-free tubettini corn pasta in packaging that did not declare wheat as an allergen and, as a result, the product is being recalled.

The alphabet pasta is clearly visible and is a darker color and characteristic alphabet shape compared to the yellow corn small-tube pasta.

Consumers who have purchased 8.5 ounce packages of DeBoles(R) Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta with Lot Number 30JUN11D1 are urged to return such packages to their place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-434-4246 during extended hours from Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm EDT, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

SOURCE DeBoles Nutritional Foods, Inc.

Zatarain's Recalls Original Dirty Rice Mix Package Due to Unlabeled Wheat and Barley Ingredients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 1, 2010

Zatarain's has announced a voluntary recall of Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix, 8 oz. package with UPC Code 7142909535 and a "BEST BY" date of JAN 19 12H. Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix packages with this date code contain undeclared wheat and barley ingredients. People who have allergies to wheat or barley run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix package was distributed to limited grocery stores in Florida, Michigan and Virginia beginning February 15, 2010. The product is available in 8 oz. boxes, and the date code is found on the bottom of the package. The "BEST BY" date of JAN1912H is the only date code affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was mispackaged, and as a result, the ingredient statement on the package did not list wheat and barley as an ingredient.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other Zatarain's products are involved in this recall.

All grocery outlets that sell Zatarain's New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix packages have been notified to remove the affected product (UPC Code 7142909535 and a "BEST BY" date of JAN1912H) from their shelves immediately. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact Zatarain's Consumer Affairs at 1-877-837-3796, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

Glutino Food Group Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Product in Raisin Bread

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 1, 2010

The Glutino Food Group of Lawrence, Mass. is voluntarily recalling Glutino Raisin Bread because it may contain undeclared egg product as one of the ingredients. Consumers who have an allergy or sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products

The US product comes in a 22.6 ounce clear plastic bag marked with UPC code 6-78523 03015-8. Only one lot number of Glutino Raisin Bread (Best Before 08OCT10) in which egg is not declared on the label is affected by this alert. The affected product was distributed in the US only.

Glutino Raisin Bread is distributed nationwide in retail stores in the frozen food section.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product's UPC was not scanning correctly in retail locations. The product was placed in packaging intended for a different product that did not list egg as an ingredient. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary issue in the company's packaging processes. No other products have been affected.

Consumers who have purchased Glutino Raisin Bread are asked to return the product to the place of purchase to receive a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Glutino directly at 1-800-54-FOODS, 9:00 - 5:00 ET, Monday through Friday.

For media inquiries, please contact Jessica Benjamin at 617.939.8417, Monday through Friday 8:30 – 5:30 ET.

About the Glutino Food Group

Since 1983, the Glutino Food Group has been a trusted pioneer and leader in the gluten-free category. Based in Laval, Quebec, the company offers a wide variety of great-tasting, gluten-free foods consumers can trust. Products are available nationwide at local supermarkets, natural and organic retailers and on www.glutenfree.com. For more information on The Glutino Food Group, visit www.Glutino.com.

GFN Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recall

Thanks to SueZboss at GlutenFreeLI for posting this article today.

GFN Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix, Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix and Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 2010 - GFN Foods, LLC of Cranford, NJ is voluntarily recalling:

Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix – UPC 187058 000043
Lots 09159 (exp 12/8/2010), 09320 (exp 5/16/12) 09322 (exp 5/18/12)

Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix – UPC 187058 000067
Lots 09083 (exp 9/24/10) and 09322 (exp 5/18/12)

Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour – UPC 187058 000029
Lots 09086 (exp 6/24/10), 09219 (exp 11/7/10) and 10035 (exp 5/4/11)

These products, manufactured by GFN Foods, are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA and Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative of Ubly, MI found traces of salmonella in Thumb Oilseed's facility. GFN Foods, LLC is voluntarily recalling the products that contain the ingredient supplied by Thumb Oilseed.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and in some cases fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which can be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result into getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

The safety of our products is of paramount importance to GFN Foods. Customers that have purchased the above products should contact GFN Foods at 866-761-6147 for a refund or to arrange for replacement product. You can also email sales@gfnfoods.com or call with any questions.

Iowa Firm Recalls Chili With Beans Product Due To Mislabeling And An Undeclared Allergen

Although I wouldn't call the health risk "low" for those of us with severe reactions to wheat, I would still like to pass out this information about products mislabeled gluten-free when they contained wheat.

Recall Release
CLASS II RECALL
FSIS-RC-058-2009
HEALTH RISK: LOW

Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Bryn Burkard

WASHINGTON, October 28, 2009 - Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, a Fort Madison, Iowa, establishment, is recalling approximately 91,125 pounds of a canned chili with beans product because it was inadvertently packaged with an incorrect flag on the plastic over-wrap and may contain an undeclared allergen, wheat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. Wheat is a known potential allergen and the plastic over-wrap incorrectly bears the statement "Gluten Free," since the product actually contains wheat.

The following product is subject to recall:


Cases containing six (6) 15-ounce cans of "ARMOUR Chili with Beans, Original." The plastic over-wrap incorrectly bears the statement "Gluten Free," while the product actually contains wheat, as well as the establishment number "EST. 2AD" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The chili products were produced on various dates ranging from August 26, 2009 to October 28, 2009, and were distributed to retail stores in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The problem was discovered after the company received a consumer inquiry. FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an allergic reaction should contact a physician.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

Consumer and media questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company's hotline at 1-800-253-5882.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.

Unilever Issues Allergy Alert on Wheat in a Limited Number of Tubs of Breyers® Ice Cream

Contact:
Anita Larsen
Unilever Media Relations
201-894-7760

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 22, 2009 - Englewood Cliffs, NJ - Unilever United States, Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is voluntarily recalling a limited number of tubs of Breyers® ice cream because it was mispackaged and may contain undeclared wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of allergic reaction if they consume this product.

On a limited number of tubs, the lid describes the product as "Breyers® All Natural Cookies & Cream" ice cream, and the tub portion of the package describes the product as "Breyers® All Natural Mint Chocolate Chip" ice cream. The product inside of the tub is "All Natural Cookies & Cream." The ingredient statement on the tub does not declare wheat, which is an ingredient of the Cookies & Cream product.

The mispackaged ice cream product was distributed in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Trinidad and Virginia through retail stores in these locations and adjoining areas. The affected product is being recalled from consumers and retailer store shelves, back rooms and warehouses.

The affected mispackaged product was distributed in 1.5-quart (1.41L) paperboard tubs marked with UPC # 077567254245 located on the side of the tub and in combination with "Best If Used By" dates of FEB1711GH, FEB1811GH and FEB1911GH located on the bottom of the tub.

The allergy alert and recall relates only to the above mentioned mispackaged Breyers® ice cream. No other Breyers® ice cream products are affected.

No adverse reactions have been reported to date. In addition to working in cooperation with the FDA, the company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

The recall was initiated after the company received a few consumer complaints about the mispackaged product. It was determined that product containing wheat was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of wheat in the ingredient list on the tub.

Consumers who have purchased the mispackaged Breyers® ice cream with UPC # 077567254245 and in combination with "Best If Used By" dates of FEB1711GH, FEB1811GH and FEB1911GH are urged to discard it immediately and contact the company at 1-877-270-7402 for a full refund. For consumers outside the United States, please send an email to comments.breyers@unilever.com for a full refund.

Van's International Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat, Gluten, Milk and Egg in Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes

VERNON, Calif., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Van's International Foods has issued an allergy alert and is voluntarily recalling the following product: 12.4 ounce package of frozen Van's Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes with the lot number listed below because they contain undeclared wheat, gluten, milk and egg in the product.

People who have allergies or sensitivities to wheat, gluten, milk or eggs may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The 118 cases of recalled Van's Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes may have been distributed in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Idaho and Hawaii, through retail outlets that include but may not be limited to Whole Foods, Wegmans, Giant Carlisle, Sprouts and Martins. The distributors and the retail customers involved have been notified.

The product comes in a 12.4 ounce package which is beige with an orange stripe on the top and a triangular blue gluten-free call-out in the upper right-hand corner with the lot number 200060629B1 located on the side flap of the box. The "Best if used by" date is March 30, 2010 also printed on the same flap.


Package UPC: 0-89947-60604-9
Description: Van's All Natural Wheat Free Homestyle Pancakes, 12.4 ounce
Lot #: 200060629B1
Best if used by date: March 30, 2010

"Our customers have trusted Van's with their special dietary needs for more than 20 years, and their health and safety are our first priority," said CEO of Van's International Foods, Eric Kufel. "Van's has immediately implemented advanced quality procedures above and beyond what we already have in place to ensure the continued safety of our products."

The voluntary recall was initiated immediately after a packaging operator error, limited to one shift, was discovered. The company has immediately reinforced its Quality Assurance and Packaging procedures and believes that the problem was a one-time incident. Consumers who are allergic to or have sensitivity to wheat, gluten, milk or eggs, should not consume this product. Consumers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund or send the box top with the printed lot number to the address below to receive five free coupons for any Van's waffle, pancake, or French toast stick product 12.4 ounce or smaller.

Van's International Foods, Inc.
Attn: Wheat Free Pancake Product Recall
3285 East Vernon Avenue
Vernon, CA 90058

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (303) 848-6013 or via email at customerservice@vansintl.com . For more information on this recall, please visit www.vansfoods.com for details.

The Food and Drug Administration has been notified of this voluntary recall.

Media Contacts:
(817) 329-3257 (24-hours)
Suzanne Miller, spm@spmcommunications.com
Alexandra Elliott, alexandra@spmcommunications.com
Tracy Aiello, tracy@spmcommunications.com

Gluten-Free Alert: Pistachio Recall

From the FDA Website:

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and is voluntarily recalling approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.

The contamination involves multiple strains of Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio products are linked to an outbreak. The FDA is conducting genetic testing of the samples to pursue all links.

FDA will be working closely with the pistachio industry to help it understand the risks Salmonella poses to their product and the importance of taking precautions to keep their product free of contamination. As part of this effort, on April 3, 2009, FDA issued a letter to all known pistachio processors in the U.S. reminding them of their legal responsibility to ensure that the products they are providing are safe for consumption and spelling out many of the good manufacturing practices that must be met by anyone manufacturing, packaging or holding human food in interstate commerce. FDA intends to examine current pistachio industry practices to identify and address practices that may lead to contamination by bacteria, and to issue guidance to the industry that provides additional information about measures that can be taken to prevent Salmonella contamination.

In addition, the Cal-Pure co-op of California Pistachio Growers and the Western Pistachio Association have established a website that lists firms that have informed Cal-Pure co-op of California Pistachio Growers and the Western Pistachio Association that their products do not contain pistachios from Setton. Information on this web site has not been verified by FDA, and FDA is not responsible for its contents: www.pistachiorecall.org.

Be sure to check your gluten-free products containing pistachios today!
Pistachios and other Pistachio Containing Products Recall List

GF Product Included in Nature's Path Voluntary Recall

Natures Path Organic Foods Announces USA and Canada Nationwide Voluntary Recall

Contact:
Maria Emmer-Aanes, Nature’s Path
maria@naturespath.com/604.248.8856
Jessica Vitale, Zeno Group
jessica.vitale@zenogroup.com/310.566.2285

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 2, 2009 -- Nature’s Path Organic Foods of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada is recalling granola bars and granola cereal, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The Nature’s Path EnviroKidz Organic Crispy Rice Peanut Choco Drizzle Bar (GLUTEN-FREE), Nature’s Path Organic Granola Bar Peanut Butter Chunky, Nature’s Path Organic Granola Bars Peanut Choco Chocolate Drizzle Bar and Nature’s Path Organic Peanut Butter Granola Cereal, were manufactured using peanuts recalled by Peanut Corporation of American because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products were distributed through retail stores nationwide in USA and throughout Canada.

Veggie Booty Product Recall Information

"Robert’s American Gourmet has been alerted to a recent outbreak of salmonella and the potential contamination of Veggie Booty. Due to the serious nature of the health risk, Robert’s has decided to temporarily stop the manufacture and sale of Veggie Booty ONLY until test results can positively identify the source. We stand by our snacks and hope to resume making Veggie Booty shortly.

At this point, we recommend that you destroy any remaining Veggie Booty and contact our offices at 1-800-626-7557. You can return the empty bag either to the store or to us for reimbursement or a product voucher. Please send the bag to Robert’s American Gourmet, P.O. Box 326, Sea Cliff, NY 11579 along with your address and receipt if possible and please allow 6-8 weeks for processing."

Your next steps:

1. Review the Veggie Booty page to identify the Veggie Booty product being recalled;

2. Discard the entire contents of the package of Veggie Booty

3. Contact 1-800-626-7557 or email info@robscape.com for reimbursement of your purchase. See details...

To get a refund:

Send the empty flexible plastic foil packages of Veggie Booty to:
Robert's American Gourmet
Veggie Booty Recall
P.O. box 326
Sea Cliff, New York 11579

Please remember to include:
o Your full name
o Mailing address where we will send the check to
o Contact phone number
o Store where you purchased the Veggie Booty
o Purchase price

Refunds will be processed in 6 to 8 weeks.

________________________________________________

All of Robert’s American Gourmet snacks except for Stealth Chips, CHAOS, Honey Wheat Pretzels and Pirate's Pretzels are Gluten Free (There is a Gluten and Wheat free version of the Chaos). Since gluten is used on other snacks at the plant, Robert’s American Gourmet does not put it on our bags. They run the snacks first, thoroughly clean the machines between runs, and train all the employees on allergen control to reduce the possibility of cross contamination. However, Robert’s American Gourmet cannot 100% guarantee that there can never be a cross-contamination.