- Date Issued: June 4, 2025
- Announced By: U.S. FDA on June 4, 2025
- Company Name: Firehook of Virginia
- Product: Firehook Classic Sea Salt Organic Crackers (8oz)
- Issue: Undeclared sesame allergen
- Details: One lot mislabeled without sesame listed, Best By 09/29/25, UPC 8 99055 00063 5
- Action: Return product for refund; contact Firehook for questions
Wanna know more about what happened? Keep on reading.
What Happened?
Firehook of Virginia, the artisan bakery brand behind the popular Classic Sea Salt Organic Crackers, has issued a voluntary recall on a specific lot of its 8oz crackers. Why? Because sesame was present in the crackers—but never mentioned on the label. And if you’re one of the 1.6 million Americans allergic to sesame, that’s a serious problem.
The recall was initiated on May 30, 2025, and made public by the FDA on June 4. According to Firehook, the mislabeling occurred due to a temporary breakdown in their production and packaging processes, leading to the application of incorrect labels on sesame-containing products. No illnesses have been reported to date, but the company is urging consumers to check their pantry and act quickly.
Recalled Product Details
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best By | Issue |
Firehook | Classic Sea Salt Organic Crackers | 8 oz | 8 99055 00063 5 | 09/29/25 | Undeclared sesame |
The affected crackers were sold in the following states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
What Caused the Issue?
The root of the recall lies in a labeling error. A sesame-containing product made it into packaging that did not disclose sesame as an ingredient. This type of error often stems from a miscommunication between production and labeling teams or an equipment oversight in multi-product manufacturing lines.
The Risks of Undeclared Sesame
As of 2023, sesame is officially recognized as a major allergen by the FDA, placing it alongside peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Failing to declare sesame on packaging is more than a simple oversight—it can endanger lives.
Health risks associated with sesame allergies include:
- Hives or skin rashes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swelling of the throat, lips, or face
- Shortness of breath
- Anaphylaxis—a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention
Who Is Most at Risk?
- Children and adults with known sesame allergies
- Individuals newly diagnosed or unaware they are allergic
- Immune-compromised individuals with heightened sensitivity to allergens
This recall serves as a stark reminder that labeling accuracy is not optional—it’s a lifeline.
10 Common Questions You May Have
1. I bought these crackers last week. How can I tell if they’re part of the recall?
Check for a Best By date of 09/29/25 and UPC 8 99055 00063 5 on the packaging.
2. What should I do if I have the recalled product?
Do not eat it. Return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.
3. I already ate some crackers—should I be worried?
If you don’t have a sesame allergy, you’re likely fine. If you have a sesame allergy or experience symptoms, seek medical attention.
4. What does a sesame allergy reaction feel like?
Common symptoms include itching, rash, swelling, and trouble breathing. Severe reactions can include anaphylaxis.
5. Why wasn’t sesame listed on the package?
A packaging error during production caused the wrong labels to be applied, omitting sesame from the ingredient list.
6. Has Firehook had this issue before?
This is not a common occurrence for Firehook, but the FDA and industry have seen several similar recalls involving undeclared sesame recently.
7. Where was this product sold?
Retail stores in CT, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VA.
8. How do I contact Firehook for more info?
Call 1-888-580-0745, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm EST.
9. Are other Firehook products affected?
At this time, only the Classic Sea Salt Organic Crackers with the specified date and UPC are affected.
10. What is the FDA doing about this?
The FDA has published the recall alert and is monitoring the situation closely. You can read their notice here.
Here’s What You Should Do
- Check your packaging for the Best By date 09/29/25 and UPC 8 99055 00063 5
- If you have the affected product, return it to the store where you purchased it for a refund
- Do not consume the product if you or someone in your household is allergic to sesame
- Contact Firehook for questions at 1-888-580-0745 (Mon–Fri, 8 am–4 pm EST)
Behind the Brand
Firehook of Virginia is a respected name in the artisan snack space, known for crafting high-quality, small-batch crackers with clean ingredients. While this isn’t a frequent issue for the brand, undeclared allergens like sesame have triggered several recalls across the industry in recent months, including:
- On May 31, 2025, Springville Meat & Cold Storage Co., Inc. announced a recall of approximately 15,388 pounds of jerky products due to undeclared anchovies—a known fish allergen.
- On June 3, 2025, Camerican International, Inc. voluntarily recalled its Casa Mamita Churro Bites Filled with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream after discovering they may contain undeclared milk.
- On May 31, 2025, the FSIS issued a public health alert (not a recall) for frozen not-ready-to-eat ham croquettes produced by Croquetas La Mary LLC due to misbranding and undeclared soy and sesame allergens
- On May 22, 2025, the FSIS issued a public health alert for certain ready-to-eat chicken soup products under the Signature SELECT brand because of misbranding and undeclared allergen (wheat).
- On May 24, 2025, Santa Monica Seafood issued a voluntary recall after discovering that its Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing, sold under the Aldi brand, failed to declare soy on the packaging
“Label accuracy isn’t just a regulatory checkbox—it’s a matter of consumer safety. Undeclared allergens like sesame can pose serious health risks and erode trust, not just in a single brand, but across the entire food supply chain.” said Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.
These incidents highlight the increasing scrutiny around allergen labeling and the systems in place—or lacking—to prevent such risks.
Ensuring Safe Eats
For manufacturers, co-packers, private labels, and wholesale buyers, this recall underscores the urgent need for robust allergen control and label verification systems. An error like this could lead to legal exposure, product loss, and most importantly, consumer harm.
This situation also highlights the value of:
- Allergen testing protocols
- Rigorous QA audits
- Strong recall communication plans
- Supplier traceability systems
Have questions about sourcing allergen-safe bulk ingredients or improving your recall readiness? Talk to our team—we’re here to help you keep things clean, clear, and compliant.
