Health authorities have issued an urgent recall for a popular BBQ sauce over fears it could trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction. The Savannah Bee Company pulled its Honey BBQ sauce-mustard from shelves after the product was found to contain wheat and soy that were not declared on the label.
Officials warned that the hidden ingredients posed a risk to the millions of Americans with an allergy. Mild reactions include itching, hives and a skin rash, while, in serious cases, it can cause anaphylaxis, or a tightness in the throat and chest pain that causes trouble breathing.
Revealing the recall notice, the FDA warned: 'People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat or soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the honey BBQ sauce-mustard.' The sauce was sold nationwide in 16 fluid oz glass bottles that had an orange label on the front in both retail stores and directly to consumers.
Officials said the labeling issue was caused after the label for the company's Honey BBQ sauce-sweet was mistakenly applied to the recalled Honey BBQ sauce-mustard. Customers have been urged to throw out the sauce immediately and request a full refund from the manufacturer.
The incorrectly labeled bottles were sold between July last year and February, the recall notice said. The issue was only brought to attention after a customer contacted the business. This led to an investigation, which revealed the labeling issue. It was not clear how many bottles were recalled or how the labeling issue occurred, but in previous instances this has been blamed on supplier error.
Recalled lots of the BBQ sauce have a lot number and best-before date etched onto the neck of the bottle. The lot number is UPC 8 50033 93758 9. An estimated 2 million Americans have an allergy to wheat while more than 1 million have an allergy to soy.
