We’ve all been there—grabbing a snack, reaching into the pantry, and hoping for something crunchy and satisfying. But, if you recently bought Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style from Sugar Foods, you might want to double-check that bag before you dive in. Why? Because, thanks to a mix-up, your beloved tortilla strips may have been replaced by crispy onion strips—and those contain wheat. On November 19th, Sugar Foods issued a recall for the 3.5-ounce pouches of their Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style after a customer alerted them that the pouches contained the wrong product: crispy onion strips instead of the advertised tortilla strips. The problem? The crispy onion strips contain undeclared wheat, which is a big deal for people with wheat allergies. According to the FDA, consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or they may discard the product. If you’ve got a bag of Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style hanging around, here’s everything you need to know about what’s going down.
What happened?
This past November 22nd, Sugar Foods issued a recall for their Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style after being contacted by a concerned consumer who reported that their Tortilla Strips bag actually contained crispy onion strips. The product was distributed between September 30th and November 11th. The product is packaged in stand-up resealable pouches and was shipped to distribution centers in: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NJ, OH, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, and WA.
Brand | Product | Size | UPC Code | Best by Date | Issue |
Sugar Foods | Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style | 3.5 ounces | 7 87359 17504 6 | 06/20/2024 | Undeclared wheat allergen |
What caused the issue?
Sugar Foods was contacted by a concerned consumer who reported that their Tortilla Strips bag actually contained crispy onion strips. Now, the crispy onions have a wheat ingredient, which was not disclosed on the tortilla strip packaging. According to the FDA, people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products. Wheat is one of the eight most common food allergens, and when they’re not disclosed on a product’s label, it can be a major problem. This is because some immune systems confuse certain wheat proteins as harmful. Your body goes on full alert mode and it releases histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic signs and symptoms. A bite of a tasty tortilla chip could end up causing hives, stomach troubles, or worse—an allergic reaction that requires immediate attention. Among the most common food allergens we can find:
- Cow’s milk (dairy)
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nuts
- Sesame
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Wheat
Here’s what you should do
If you have purchased this product, take action! Here’s how:
- Check the label:
UPC code: 7 87359 17504 6
Best by date: 06/20/2024 - Identify the product:
Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style - What to do with the product:
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or they may discard the product. - Contact info:
Consumers with questions may contact Consumer Care Department at [email protected], 332-240-6676 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm EST.
Behind the brand
Sugar Foods is a major player in the snack and condiment world, known for its Fresh Gourmet line of toppings, snacks, and other delicious treats. They are a privately-held company founded in 1948 that began as a local bulk sugar distributor throughout the New York metro area. Today they have over 1,400 employees in five locations across the U.S. and Mexico. Their vision is for their toppings and snacks to be on every plate and the sweeteners and creamers to be in every cup. To accomplish this they rely on a top-notch team of dedicated employees and ingredients.
Ensuring safe eats!
Recalls like this are a reminder that even the simplest products—like tortilla chips—can pose serious risks if the right precautions aren’t taken. For Sugar Foods, it’s a wake-up call to ensure better oversight during production to prevent mix-ups in the future. For consumers, it’s a reminder to always check your labels, especially if you or your loved ones have food allergies. The issue of undeclared allergens in food products impacts the entire industry. A single mistake can result in serious health risks, consumer distrust, and massive financial loss. Food companies need to be extra cautious, implement more rigorous quality checks, and always ensure proper labeling.
Wanna know more about recalls like these? Contact our team today!
