Hearthside Food Solutions recalls breakfast sandwiches over undeclared sesame

• Date Issued: March 2025
• Announced By: FSIS on April 2, 2025
• Company: Hearthside Food Solutions, LLC
• Product: Lettieri’s Food To Go Sausage & Bacon French Toast Breakfast Sandwiches
• Issue: Misbranding and undeclared sesame allergen
• Product Details: Sold in individually wrapped film packages, various lot codes
• Action Required: Consumers should discard or return the product

Stick around to find out more about this recall!

What happened?

Hearthside Food Solutions, LLC, based in Salt Lake City, UT, has recalled nearly 490,000 pounds of its ready-to-eat (RTE) sausage and bacon breakfast sandwiches due to undeclared sesame. The issue was discovered when the company reported to FSIS that sesame flour was present in the French toast component but not listed on the label.

Recalled product details

Brand	Product Name	Size	UPC	Best By Date	Issue
Lettieri’s Food To Go	Sausage, Egg & Cheese French Toast Breakfast Sandwich	8.35 oz	Various	Lot codes: 23, 24, 25 up to 2508451	Undeclared sesame
Lettieri’s Food To Go	Bacon, Egg & Cheese French Toast Breakfast Sandwich	7.3 oz	Various	Lot codes: 23, 24, 25 up to 2508451	Undeclared sesame

The products were distributed to Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) locations nationwide and could still be in consumers’ freezers or refrigerators.

What caused the issue?

The recall stems from mislabeling—the sandwiches contain sesame flour, a major allergen, that wasn’t declared on the packaging.

Threats of misbranding & undeclared allergens 

Mislabeling prevents consumers from making informed decisions. Allergic individuals may unknowingly consume an ingredient that could be harmful or even life-threatening.

Sesame is one of the top nine allergens in the U.S. Even small amounts can trigger reactions ranging from mild discomfort to severe anaphylaxis, which can be fatal without immediate medical attention.

People with sesame allergies, particularly children and individuals with multiple food allergies, face serious health risks from accidental consumption.

Common symptoms

Allergic reactions to sesame may include:

• Hives, redness, or itching
• Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical intervention)

10 common questions you might have

1. How do I know if my product is part of the recall?
   • Check the lot codes 23, 24, or 25 up to 2508451 on your package. If your sandwich matches, it’s recalled.
2. What should I do if I have a recalled sandwich?
   • Do not eat it! Either dispose of it or return it to the store for a refund.
3. What happens if I ate one of these sandwiches?
   • If you don’t have a sesame allergy, you’re fine. If you do, watch for symptoms and seek medical help if needed.
4. Can I return the product for a refund?
   • Yes, most retailers will issue a full refund.
5. Why is sesame such a serious allergen?
   • Sesame allergies can cause life-threatening reactions even in trace amounts, making accurate labeling crucial.
6. Has Hearthside Food Solutions had recalls before?
   • While this is a significant recall, Hearthside has generally maintained a good safety record. However, previous allergen mislabeling issues have occurred in the food industry.
7. Are other brands or products affected?
   • As of now, this recall is limited to these specific breakfast sandwiches. Always check the FDA’s recall list for updates.
8. How can I report an adverse reaction?
   • Contact your healthcare provider immediately and report the incident to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
9. What steps should manufacturers take to prevent this?
   • They should implement stricter allergen control measures and regularly audit ingredient sourcing and labeling.
10. Where can I get more information?

• You can visit the FSIS Recall Page or FDA Recalls for updates.

Here’s what you should do

• Check Your Freezer: Look for lot codes 23, 24, 25 up to 2508451 on the packaging.
• Don’t Eat It! If you have these sandwiches, throw them away or return them to the store.
• Questions? Contact Hearthside Food Solutions or FSIS for more details.

Behind the brand

Hearthside Food Solutions is a leading co-manufacturer in the ready-to-eat food industry. While the company is known for its large-scale food production, this is a reminder that labeling accuracy is crucial.

This isn’t the first allergen-related recall in recent weeks. Other recent recalls due to undeclared allergens include, for example, Panaderia Salvadorena Inc., based in Providence, RI, issued a recall for its Quesadilla de Queso bread due to the presence of undeclared milk. Additionally, Fresh Creative Foods issued a voluntary recall for Trader Joe’s Hot Honey Mustard Dressing due to a labeling error that left out crucial allergen information.

“Ensuring consumer safety starts with clear and accurate labeling. When allergens are not properly identified, individuals with food allergies are put at serious risk, and trust in food brands can be compromised. This recall highlights the critical need for rigorous quality control and precise labeling practices to protect public health and uphold industry standards.” — Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.

Ensuring safe eats

Food recalls like this highlight the importance of accurate ingredient labeling and strict allergen controls in manufacturing.

Key takeaways:

• Ingredient transparency is crucial to protect consumers.
• Manufacturers must improve allergen tracking in co-manufacturing processes.
• Retailers should monitor recalled products to avoid consumer risk.

If you’re in the bulk ingredient industry, ensuring high-quality and correctly labeled ingredients is a must. Need trusted sourcing? At Source86, we specialize in safe, reliable bulk ingredients for manufacturers. Contact us today!