FDA warns Whole Foods Market after repeated food recalls for undeclared allergens
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a warning letter issued to Whole Foods Market for a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products, necessitating a series of food recalls for allergens. In the last year, Whole Foods Market has recalled more than 30 food products because the presence of major food allergens was not listed on the finished product labels. The FDA noticed similar patterns of numerous recalls by Whole Foods Market for undeclared allergens in previous years as well. These products included a variety of foods sold under the Whole Foods brand primarily in the deli and bakery sections of the store. This is the first time the FDA has warned a retailer for engaging in a pattern of receiving and offering for sale misbranded food products containing undeclared allergens.
Food allergies and other types of food hypersensitivities affect millions of Americans and their families. To protect consumers, U.S. law requires that food or ingredients that contain major food allergens be specifically labeled with the name(s) of the allergen source. The eight foods identified as major food allergens are: