Beware of this unsuspecting staple hiding in the back of your pantry as the FDA issues yet another recall. Breadcrumbs, an item that seemingly has its ingredients listed in its name, sold nationwide are being called back due to an undisclosed allergen.
FDA breadcrumb recall details
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made an announcement on Jan 28 via its website calling back breadcrumbs sold across the country for months due to safety concerns. The item is not poisonous per say, however, it does contain an allergen that was not clearly disclosed and could result in potential health complications.
The recalled products include 8-ounce packages of La Fiesta brand “Unseasoned Bread Crumbs (Pan Rayado)” and “Seasoned Bread Crumbs (Pan Rayado Sazonado),” said the release from La Fiesta Food Products.
On Jan 25, La Fiesta Food Products, LLC, which is based in La Miranda, California, announced the recall on its website. The FDA followed this up with an announcement of its own regarding the matter on Jan 28.
The release noted that “the products contain sesame as an undeclared allergen. Additionally, the labels do not include the allergen declaration in Spanish.”
“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” said La Fiesta Foods, who also shared that “no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.”
Both the seasoned and plain variations of La Fiesta Foods breadcrumbs form a part of this recall. The unseasoned bread crumbs were sold at stores throughout the United States from April 10, 2024, through Jan. 22, 2025, said La Fiesta. The seasoned breadcrumbs were sold from Aug. 29, 2024, through Jan. 22, 2025.
This is a fairly large window of sales for the product and consumers should immediately check their cupboards and pantries to ensure the health and safety of their households.
La Fiesta Foods’ perspective
The company responsible for the distribution of the breadcrumb packages with tainted labelling, La Fiesta Foods, said, “the recall was initiated after discovering that the product contained undeclared sesame. Further investigation revealed that the issue was caused by errors on the product labeling.”
The release also states that consumers who find themselves in possession of the recalled items “are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.”
This recall was likely made as a result of the 2023 decision by the Food and Drug Administration that declared sesame as the ninth major food allergen in the United States.
According to the FDA’s website, the eight foods that identify as major allergens actually account for 90% of food allergies. The eights foods in question are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Sesame seeds now joins the ranks of these major allergens as of 2023 as well.
“In addition, the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research (FASTER) Act of 2021, declared sesame as a major food allergen,” said the FDA. “These nine foods, and any ingredient that contains protein derived from one or more of them, are designated as ‘major food allergens.'”
Undisclosed allergens on packaged food can be just as — if not not more — dangerous as if a foreign material contaminates a food item. As such it is imperative that companies do their due diligence when it comes to factory standards and requirements. Regular recalls will result in customers losing faith in the brand.
As cautious as people with allergies are, there is nothing they can do to protect themselves if the listed ingredients on food items are incorrect. Fortunately, there were no reported illnesses in this particular instance of mislabeled breadcrumbs but the potential for error in the future must not be taken lightly.