Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is alerting Georgians about the recall of approximately 150 jars of Harry and David cookie mixes that may cause health problems in some individuals.
The products may contain coconut, peanuts, milk and/or sulfites which are not listed on ingredient label. People who have severe sensitivity to these ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. The mixes affected are Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cranberry Vanilla Chip.
The products are packaged in 1 lb. 2 oz or 1 lb. 5 oz clear jars. The nutrition and ingredient information is contained inside hang tags attached to the top of the jars.
The recalled items may be quickly identified by checking for a match of the flavor description on the hang tag at the top of the jar with the flavor description on the price sticker on the bottom of the jar. Jars being recalled have flavor descriptions that do not match.
Harry and David is recalling all Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie mix jars with bottom price stickers stating “Cookie Mix PB” or “Cookie Mix WC Cran.” The potentially affected lot codes are 111207 or 110907 respectively.
Harry and David is recalling all Chocolate Peanut Butter cookie mix jars with bottom price stickers stating “Cookie Mix Oatmeal CC” or “Cookie Mix WC Cran.” The potentially affected lot codes are 111407 or 110907 respectively.
Harry and David is recalling all Cranberry Vanilla Chip cookie mix jars with bottom price stickers stating “Cookie Mix Oatmeal CC” or “Cookie Mix PB.” The potentially affected lot codes are 111407 or 111207 respectively.
The lot codes are on stickers on the bottom of the jars.
The cookie mixes were distributed exclusively throughout the United States in Harry and David Stores, beginning on Nov. 27.
Consumers with questions about the recalled product may phone the Customer Service division at 1-800-233-1101, 24 hours a day. Customers may arrange for refunds through this number as well.
Irvin also has alerted Georgians about imported Mexican candy a San Antonio company voluntarily recalled after Texas Department of State Health Services tests found elevated lead levels that could cause health problems.
Villa-Mex Imports, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, recalled Barrilito, a dark brown thick syrup sold in 3.3 ounce (100 gram) glass barrel-shaped jars with white plastic lids. The yellow label shows the name “Barrilito” in red outlined letters. The label also reads: Productos Avila, S.A. de C.V. Puerto Malaque 1379 Col. Sta. Maria Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico.
“Our field inspectors are looking for this candy to see that it is removed from sale because of the damage certain levels of lead can do to infants, young children and pregnant women,” Commissioner Irvin said.
Commissioner Irvin pointed out that the import company acted in response to the recent laboratory tests on the candy that showed lead above the 0.1 parts per million level considered to be a potential public health hazard by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Candy samples ranged from 0.101 to 0.132 parts per million of lead. The tests were part of DSHS product surveillance conducted over the last several months.
Too much lead intake can result in delayed mental and physical development and learning deficiencies.
Children who have high blood lead levels may be tired or cranky, not have much appetite, not be able to pay attention, have headaches, vomit, be constipated, be clumsy or weak or not be able to sleep. Some children who have lead poisoning may not look or act sick.
DSHS officials say consumers who have the recalled product should not eat it and should return it or throw it away.
The only way to know if a child has a high blood lead level is to have a blood lead test. People concerned about blood lead levels should call their doctors or health clinics about testing.
