Here’s what you need to know:
- Date: January 8, 2025
- Announced by: FSIS on January 9
- Company: Rajbhog Foods Inc.
- Product: betterGoods Chicken Curry Empanadas
- Product details: 9.6 oz. cardboard packages labeled “Bettergoods TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED Chicken Curry Empanadas”
- Issue: Mislabeling and undeclared milk allergen (surprise!)
Keep reading to find out more!
What happened?
On January 8, the FSIS issued a health alert for Rajbhog Foods Inc. Better Goods Chicken Curry Empanadas. Why? Wel, a mislabeling caused Apple Cinnamon Empanadas to end up inside the package instead, causing an undeclared allergen to take part: Milk. These items were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide.
Company | Brand | Product | Size | EST number | Best by dates |
Rajbhog Foods Inc. | bettergoods | Better Goods Chicken Curry Empanadas | 9.6 oz. cardboard packages | EST. P33967 | 05/21/26 or 05/22/26 |
What caused the issue?
Due to a mislabeling error, the products didn’t declare milk on them. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. This is one of the eight most common food allergens, and when it’s not disclosed on a product’s label, it can be a major problem. This is because some immune systems confuse certain proteins found in milk as harmful. Your body goes on full alert mode and it releases histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic signs and symptoms. Among the most common food allergens we can find:
- Cow’s milk (dairy)
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nuts
- Sesame
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Wheat
No illnesses have been reported to date. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase. The problem was discovered when the producing establishment notified FSIS that its distributor received four consumer complaints indicating that the apple cinnamon empanada product was packaged inside the chicken curry empanada retail packaging.
Here’s what you should do
If you have purchased this product, take action! Here’s how:
- Check the label:
EST number: EST. P33967
Best by dates: 05/21/26 or 05/22/26 - Identify the product:
Better Goods Chicken Curry Empanadas - What you should do:
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. - Contact info:
Members of the media and consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact Sanjiv Mody, President of Rajbhog Foods, at 551-222-4700 or [email protected].
Those with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to [email protected]. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
Behind the brand
Rajbhog Foods Inc. is a renowned Indian foods manufacturer, that offers a wide range of traditional sweets, snacks, and frozen foods. Their factories in New York and New Jersey produce high-quality, authentic Indian cuisine at reasonable prices. They have a network of cafes and franchise outlets across the country and provided this product for Walmart’s private-label Bettergoods.
This is not the only issue with undeclared allergens the industry has had recently: On January 3, 2025, Dierbergs Kitchen announced a recall of its 16-oz Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes, which contain undeclared wheat, a significant allergen. And, on December 27, 2024, Gardners Candies issued a voluntary recall for its Cappuccino Meltaway® Bars and Meltaway Treat Boxes that include them. Why? They may contain cashews, a tree nut that wasn’t listed on the packaging.
Ensuring safe eats!
This kind of recall really puts a spotlight on how important it is for food manufacturers to get their labels right. All it takes is one small mix-up to cause a major issue, especially when it involves allergens. For Rajbhog Foods, this mislabeling issue could have been much worse, but thankfully, no one appears to have been hurt.
“Accurate labeling and transparency in ingredient sourcing are not just best practices—they’re essential to protecting consumers and ensuring their safety. In the food industry, even the smallest mistake can have far-reaching consequences, particularly when it comes to allergens. As a community, it’s our responsibility to hold ourselves to the highest standards, ensuring that every product reaching the shelves is both safe and trustworthy for all consumers.” Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.
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