The company XYMOGEN®, based in Orlando, Florida, is recalling three different varieties of their OrganiX bars because they contain peanut protein that may cause a life threatening allergic reaction in people with peanut allergy.

The affected bars are OrganiX Omega 3, Greens and Spice bars.

The lot numbers are 1072110, 2072110, 4072110, 5072110, all with an expiry date of 21st July 2011, and 1083110, with an expiry date of 31st August 2011. They were distributed in boxes containing 12 (50g) bars with the lot numbers on the individual bar wrappers.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the company’s cashew butter also contained peanut protein due to their supplier who had failed to warn them about the possibility of peanuts in the food and so no warning label was put on the products.

Facts about Peanut Allergy

• 1.2 percent of U.S. children are allergic to peanuts.

• The peanut allergy rate in children doubled between 1997-2002.

• Anaphylaxis occurs in 20 percent of allergies to peanuts.

• Food allergies (all types) occur in four out of every 100 children.

• Peanut allergy is one of the most common causes of death due to allergy.

Any customers who have purchased the affected OrganiX bars should return them for a full refund. Customers with questions should contact XYMOGEN ® at 1-800-647-6100, Monday thru Friday, 9:00AM to 4:00PM, EST.

Sources:

XYMOGEN® ISSUES ALLERGY ALERT ON UNDECLARED Peanut Protein IN 3 Varieties of OrganiX Bars: Omega-3, Spice and Greens. U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page. Web. 12 Aug. 2011. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm267319.htm

Allergy Statistics | AAAAI ."The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology | AAAAI Web. 12 Aug. 2011.
http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-statistics.aspx.

Peanut Allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Web 12 Aug. 2011. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=517

Food Allergy Among U.S. Children: Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NCHS Data Brief, Number 10, October 2008j. Web 12 Aug. 2011. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.ht

Reviewed August 12, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg R.N.
Edited by Jody Smith