H ostess Brands, LLC has voluntarily recalled 710,000 cases of select snack cakes and donuts as a direct result of the recent recall by a supplier of certain lots of its flour for undeclared peanut residue, according to this announcement posted at the official Internet web site of the Food and Drug Administration of the United States.
This announcement is the result of this safety advisory and alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration where the government agency is investigating low levels of peanut residue found in limited flour and flour products — including the ones listed below.
- Cinnabon Stix
- Safeway 8″ Single Layer Red Velvet Cake
- ACME 12” Decorated Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Jewel 12” Decorated Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Chick-fil-A Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Hostess Snack Cake and Donut Products
Product Recall: Think Twice Before Eating That Cookie or Cake Product Aboard an Airplane?
Food allergies can be inconvenient to the sufferer at the very least — and potentially deadly at the worst. Some people who are allergic to peanuts are so sensitive to peanut residue that they cannot be near it — especially in tight quarters, such as aboard an airplane.
Do flight attendants take a chance on serving peanuts in close quarters which contains a person who could potentially suffer a fatal reaction from inhaling the dust emanating from an opened bag of peanuts simply because another passenger wants to eat them as a snack while in flight? Kyson and Sara Dana claimed that they were forced to leave the airplane operated by Allegiant Air on the afternoon of Monday, May 2, 2016 prior to a flight out of Provo because the mother alerted a member of the flight crew upon boarding the aircraft that their son Theo — who is two years old — is allergic to peanuts.
The good news is that a patch for people who suffer from allergies associated with peanuts has reportedly been effective in extensive tests recently conducted throughout North America and Europe, which could potentially resolve the peanut allergy issue aboard airplanes in the future.
This article offers a comprehensive list of the peanut allergy policies of 18 different airlines based in the United States and Canada.
More Details About the Recall
“While those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume products containing peanut allergens, the amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is considered to be low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers”, according to the aforementioned announcement from the Food and Drug Administration. “Anyone who has purchased an affected product and who has a sensitivity or allergy to peanuts is encouraged to discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.”
The government agency advises consumers with severe peanut allergies to avoid the recalled products because of peanut residue in soft red winter wheat flour originating from a supplier called Grain Craft.
If you are not allergic to peanuts, this recall is of no concern or danger to you whatsoever.
The amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers; but you should stop eating the product and seek immediate medical care if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of Peanut Allergies
A person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction following ingestion of a food allergen, which can lead to:
- Constricted airways in the lungs
- Severe lowering of blood pressure and shock — also known as anaphylactic shock
- Suffocation by swelling of the throat
Allergic Reactions
According to the Mayo Clinic, an allergic reaction may occur if you inhale dust or aerosols containing peanuts, such as that of peanut flour. Symptoms of the allergic reaction may include discomfort, such as swelling of the skin, runny nose, itching, shortness of breath or a tightening of the throat — or anaphylaxis could be a symptom which can cause a reaction that can threaten your life if your allergy to peanuts is severe enough.
Reactions to allergies can include the following:
- Hives
- Flushed skin or rash
- Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
- Face, tongue, or lip swelling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Coughing or wheezing
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Swelling of the throat and vocal cords
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Summary
While eating a product affected by the recall aboard an airplane will most likely not cause any problems to other passengers if you do not have an allergy to peanuts, it is probably better to be safe than sorry and avoid consuming such products — to ensure that no one gets sick as a result in case someone with a highly sensitive allergy to peanuts is seated within close proximity — aboard an airplane out of an abundance of caution until the recall has been cleared and the products are safe once again for those people who have sensitive peanut allergies.
In other words — until the recall has expired, just to be safe; and although the danger may be minimal — you may want to postpone enjoying that baked treat until after your flight; or consume it before your flight.
Photograph ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
