A North Carolina food company, Vesta Fiery Gourmet Foods, is recalling jars of what it calls dry hot sauces due to the undeclared presence of wheat on its labels. The omission could cause a “severe or life-threatening allergic reaction” for people who are allergic or severely sensitive to wheat. The 1.5-ounce jars, sold under the Benny T’s brand, did not indicate that the flour used is wheat, according to a statement released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on behalf of the company. The affected dry hot sauce varieties include Ghost, Hot, Reaper, Scorpion, and Very Hot.
The recalled products were primarily sold online, in stores, and at checkouts nationwide between October 1st and January 4th. The affected items have expiration dates through December 2024, and the FDA has urged consumers who have purchased the products not to consume them and to contact the company with any questions.
The FDA explained that wheat is among the major food allergens that cause serious allergic reactions in the country. Symptoms of food allergies, including wheat allergies, can appear within a few minutes to a few hours after consuming the food, and may include hives, redness of the skin, vomiting, and swelling of the throat.
The agency recommended that consumers read food labels carefully before consuming products and report any labeling concerns if a reaction to an FDA-regulated food or food product is suspected.
Food allergies have been on the rise, particularly among young Americans, according to reports. But wheat allergies should not be confused with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition, or other gluten intolerance. The FDA reminded companies that they are legally required to declare major food allergens on their labels.
The recall comes after the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services notified the company of the labeling issue. The recall statement mentioned that no illnesses related to the recalled products have been reported to date.
Following the recall announcement, the FDA emphasized the importance of food labels to help consumers make informed choices and protect those with food allergies from potentially serious consequences.