New York, April 29: In a significant food safety alert in the US, over 8,000 pounds of frozen meat pizza have been recalled across the Northeast due to the presence of an undeclared soy allergen. Vermont-based food producer 802 VT Frozen has distributed these pizzas to various grocery stores, including Walmart, without proper labelling for soy, posing a serious risk of anaphylaxis to consumers with allergies.

According to the Daily Mail report, the affected pizzas were shipped to retail locations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Consumers who have purchased these pizzas are urged to either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. The recall specifically targets pizzas with a 'best if used by' date between April 25, 2024, and April 25, 2025. Walmart Announces Launch of Dedicated Page for Indian Sellers To Register and Sell on Company’s Marketplace Site.

This recall comes amidst reports that approximately 50 million Americans suffer from food allergies, with soy allergies present in about 0.4 percent of children. Although many children outgrow this allergy, an unknown number carry it into adulthood. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has noted that nearly 45 percent of individuals develop at least one food allergy after the age of 17.

As per the report, the recalled pizzas are packaged in 17.8-oz. cardboard boxes labelled "802 VT Frozen MEAT!!! CRISPY WOOD-FIRED CRUST HAND MADE PIZZA." Boxes affected by the recall bear the establishment number 'EST. 46308' inside the USDA mark of inspection. Man Dies After Eating Butter Chicken: One Bite of Chicken Curry Kills 27-Year-Old Man in UK

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) identified the mislabeling issue during routine verification activities. Although no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported, such mislabeling incidents can significantly undermine public confidence in food safety.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 29, 2024 09:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).