Oct 11 Ortega Taco Seasoning *UPDATED 11/17/14--includes US*

[brownie]

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/newsroom/food-recall-warnings/complete-listing/2014-11-10/eng/1415668796761/1415668797355?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I'm not sure what this means for Ortega in the US?  We use this though I can't recall for the life of me why we approved it.  Maybe the company has changed hands since we started using it.  Brownie

[CMdeux]

Wonder what this means for the north American market as a whole, actually.

I've always been fairly suspicious of seasoning in packets like this-- it just seems like a major risk to me given the nature of the packaging and production facilities that do them.   


I can't quite figure out whether there are two facilities that serve the two markets.  I'm guessing that it's plausible but not likely.

  Also guessing that we won't hear about a recall stateside for another few weeks even if I'm right.


http://www.bgfoodservice.com/ortega-taco-seasoning/


http://www.660news.com/2014/11/10/cfia-issues-food-recall-update-for-taco-seasoning/

[Jessica]

At least two people on facebook have reported finding this recalled UPC number and date in the US.

[Jessica]

this says New Jersey at the top and includes more items.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bg-foods-issues-allergy-alert-on-undeclared-peanut-and-almond-in-product-2014-11-14?reflink=MW_news_stmp

[Macabre]

Yikes. I finally let DH And DS know about it since it has widened.

[GingerPye]

B&G Foods Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Peanut And Almond In Product

Contact
Consumer:
877-929-2576
www.ortega.com

Media:
Ernest DelBuono
202-973-1318
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 14, 2014 – B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling certain Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix, Ortega Taco Sauce, Ortega Enchilada Sauce and Ortega Taco Kit products and certain Las Palmas Taco Seasoning Mix and Las Palmas Taco Sauce products after learning that one or more of the spice ingredients purchased from a third party supplier contain peanuts and almonds, allergens that are not declared on the products' ingredient statements. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts and almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.  There is no health risk associated with these products for individuals without an allergy to peanuts or almonds.

This recall affects the following products:

Consumer UPC #   Size   Best By Date Range   Description
0 39000 00805 1   10oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Taco Dinner Kit
0 39000 00818 1   16.7oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Taco Dinner Kit
0 39000 00820 4   1.25 oz   Feb 18, 2016 - Nov 3, 2016   Ortega Taco Seasoning
0 39000 00821 1   3.75 oz   Feb 18, 2016 - Nov 3, 2016   Ortega Taco Seasoning  (3 Pack)
0 39000 00860 0   5 lb.   Feb 18, 2016 - Nov 3, 2016   Ortega Taco Meat Seasoning (Foodservice)
0 39000 00861 7   9 oz   Feb 18, 2016 - Nov 3, 2016   Ortega Taco Meat Seasoning (Foodservice)
0 39000 00890 7   8 oz   Feb 18, 2017  -  Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Taco Sauce - Mild
0 39000 00891 4   8 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Taco Sauce - Hot
0 39000 01012 2   15.2oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Soft Taco Dinner Kit
0 39000 01892 0   8 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Taco Sauce - Medium
0 39000 01893 7   16 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Taco Sauce - Mild
0 39000 01894 4   16 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Taco Sauce - Medium
0 41501 00806 5   9.15oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Whole Grain Taco Kit
0 41501 00824 9   1.25oz   Feb 18, 2016-Nov 3, 2016   Ortega 40% Less Sodium Taco Seasoning
0 41501 00832 4   5oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega "Tacos for Two" Kit
0 41501 00882 9   144 g   15 MA 18- 16 FE 10   Ortega "Tacos for Two" Kit (Canada)
0 41501 00897 3   8 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Green Taco Sauce - Mild
0 41501 00898 0   8 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Enchilada Sauce
0 41501 00907 9   16 oz   Feb 18, 2017-Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Green Taco Sauce  -  Mild
0 41501 01014 3   13.6 oz   May 18, 2015-Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Whole Wheat Soft Taco Kit
0 41501 01015 0   21.3oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Grande Hard & Soft Taco Dinner Kit
0 41501 01058 7   15.9oz   May 18, 2015-Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Whole Grain/Whole Wheat  Hard & Soft Taco Kit
0 41501 01895 8   16 oz   Feb 18, 2017 - Nov 10, 2017   Ortega Taco Sauce - Hot
0 41501 08351 2   9.8oz   May 18, 2015 - Feb 10, 2016   Ortega Fiesta Flats Kit
0 41501 79811 9   3.75 oz   Feb 18, 2016-Nov 3, 2016   Las Palmas Taco Seasoning Packet (3 Pack)
0 41501 79812 6   106 g   16 FE 18 -  16 NO 03   Las Palmas Taco Seasoning Packets (3 Pack) (Canada)
0 41501 79890 4   8 oz   Feb 18, 2017-Nov 10, 2017   Las Palmas Taco Sauce (Mild)
0 41501 79990 1   226g   17 FE 18 - 17 NO 10   Las Palmas Taco Sauce (Mild) (Canada)
N/A   .33 oz   Feb 18, 2016 - Nov 3, 2016   Ortega Taco Sauce Packets (Foodservice)
The recalled products were distributed in retail stores and foodservice outlets nationwide.
This recall does not apply to any other sizes or varieties of Ortega Seasoning Mix or to any Ortega Seasoning Mixes in canisters, all of which are correctly labeled.  For example, this recall does not include Ortega Fajita Seasoning Mix, Ortega Fish Taco Seasoning Mix, Ortega Chili Seasoning Mix, Ortega Chipotle Seasoning Mix or Ortega Burrito Seasoning Mix, all of which are correctly labeled.  This recall also does not include any Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce, which is correctly labeled.

"The safety of our consumers is our number one priority.  We are committed to providing safe, quality products while observing the highest ethical standards in the conduct of our business," said William Wright, Executive Vice President of Quality Assurance and R&D at B&G Foods.  "The core values that we've embodied since the company was founded in the 1800s — honesty, integrity and accountability — guide our actions as we take the appropriate measures to address this issue."

This recall was initiated in consultation with the FDA after it was discovered that ingredients from a single supplier used in the affected products were contaminated with peanut and almond allergens. B&G Foods has since terminated its relationship with this supplier and is receiving these ingredients from other sources in anticipation of resuming production shortly.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Consumers with questions may contact the company's recall hotline at 877-929-2576 from 8:00 a.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET, or visit www.ortega.com for additional information.

About B&G Foods
B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute a diversified portfolio of high-quality, branded shelf-stable foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods' products are marketed under many recognized brands, including Ac'cent, B&G, B&M, Baker's Joy, Bear Creek Country Kitchens, Brer Rabbit, Canoleo, Cary's, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, Devonsheer, Don Pepino, Emeril's, Grandma's Molasses, JJ Flats, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, MacDonald's, Maple Grove Farms, Molly McButter, Mrs. Dash, New York Flatbreads, New York Style, Old London, Original Tings, Ortega, Pirate's Booty, Polaner, Red Devil, Regina, Rickland Orchards, Saâ€'són, Sclafani, Smart Puffs, Spring Tree, Sugar Twin, Trappey's, TrueNorth, Underwood, Vermont Maid and Wright's.  B&G Foods also sells and distributes two branded household products, Static Guard and Kleen Guard.

[ajasfolks2]

I got a robo call from Giant about this a couple days ago.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/11/giant_pulls_ortega_taco_items.html

I have a pile of Ortega stuff to go through now in the garbage.

This gave me the chills:

one or more of the spice ingredients purchased from a third party supplier contain peanuts and almonds,

Spices (in foods and stand alone) have always had me concerned as to origin and production/packaging and Xcontam possibility.

I'd sure like more detail from Ortega as to supplier and info . . . doubt THAT will ever happen (unless there is death attributable and then a big lawsuit with names named).

[ajasfolks2]

First thing I went for is the Ortega Mild Taco Sauce.

Yup.  Recalled. 

I have 1 in the refrig and 2 in the pantry.

[ajasfolks2]

I don't have any green sauces right now, or I'd do a side-by-side ingredient comparison.

I'm betting the garlic (powdered) . . . and chili components are the problem.

Sourced from China was my first thought, but nah . . . likely from Mexico and Xcontam with peanut and almond as those are often in mole sauce packets and sauces.

Just my thoughts tonite.

That, and that I'm pretty pissed.

[Macabre]

This really bothers me, too. Where else is this used?

I don't worry a whole lot about TexMex ingredients we but at the store. Not like I do other things. Now I will. Sigh.

[CMdeux]

Yeah-- it has me worried for food-service usage, as well.   We usually rely upon casual tex-mex as our "safest" option away from home.   

[ajasfolks2]

I sure wish they'd come fully clean and name NAMES.