Dec 10 2016: Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar/White Cheddar Mac & Cheese (US)

[GingerPye]

December 10, 2016
Contact
Consumers
Boulder Brands Consumer Care
 1-888-299-7646

Media
Sarah Tremallo
  BoulderBrands@strat-igence.com
 (973) 718-7068 x1

Announcement

Boulder, CO (December 8, 2016) — Boulder Brands, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Earth Balance Vegan White Cheddar Mac & Cheese and Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Mac & Cheese. The products are being recalled as the health and safety of our consumers as our top priority. Boulder Brands initiated the recall after being informed by consumers that the product may contain a dairy allergen.   People with a dairy allergy or sensitivity run the risk of a serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.
The Food and Drug Association has been made aware of this recall.  Several consumers have informed the Company concerning allergic reactions suggesting the presence of a dairy allergen.
The recalled products were distributed nationally. All affected distributors and retail customers are being notified and the affected products are being removed from store shelves.
All products expiring in 2017 are being recalled.  The recalled items can be identified by the code embossed on the bottom of the package. The '17' in the code identifies product that will expire in 2017. Only the following products are affected by this recall:
Description
Retail UPC
Best When Used By Dates
Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese 6oz Package
0 33776 08050 1
27JAN17RX
28JAN17RX
11MAR17RX
14MAR17RX
15MAR17RX
06JUN17RX
07JUN17RX
08JUN17RX
09JUN17RX
31AUG17RX
01SEP17RX
02SEP17RX
06SEP17RX
07SEP17RX
08NOV17RX
09NOV17RX
30NOV17RX
01DEC17RX
02DEC17RX
05DEC17RX
06DEC17RX
 
 
(see code date embossed on the bottom of the package)
Earth Balance Vegan White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese 6oz Package
0 33776 08052 5
29JAN17RX
01FEB17RX
15MAR17RX
16MAR17RX
26AUG17RX
29AUG17RX
30AUG17RX
31AUG17RX
04NOV17RX
07NOV17RX
08NOV17RX
29NOV17RX
30NOV17RX
(see code date embossed on the bottom of the package)
No other Earth Balance products or any other products produced by Boulder Brands are affected by this recall.
Consumers who have an allergy to dairy should not consume these products. Affected product may be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Boulder Brands at 1-888-299-7646.

[Mr. Barlow]

Several consumers have informed the Company concerning allergic reactions suggesting the presence of a dairy allergen.

Flippin' Yay.   

[Macabre]

Well, at least they are being very forthcoming and are saying folks have actually had reactions. The standard line from companies is that no known harm has occurred. 

I wonder if this is the same issue that Sun Cups recently had (and they were also good about how they dealt with it).

[MaryM]

I am bummed about this one.  I cannot even tell my DD. 

Both of my dairy allergic kids have eaten his product often with no issue, thank goodness.

[Mr. Barlow]

We used it for our non-dairy allergic child.  The powdered form to mix in makes it a high risk to use in the house and the pots for our (given marvelously low trigger for dairy) allergic child.  We really counted on Earth Balance's "Dairy Free" statements as a commitment to strong allergen management.  This casts doubt on all their products, but the powdered form we can no longer assume their risk on. 

Had they conveyed that from the beginning I would never have used their product.  I will endeavor to not overthink last week's mystery minor reaction that coincided the product in our cooking area. 

Mary, really glad your kids did not react and I completely understand, especially since it's part of the Earth's Balance line.  I've called Daiya before and they've always been very forthright in their processes, where lines are shared, allergen management, and testing.  Daiya does have a version of mac n cheese.  It's nowhere close to the Kraft-like version EB made.

I hope for their powder mix EB will consider the possibility of a dedicated line and equipment if this was did indeed have enough dairy allergen to trigger that many reports.