Pasta Salads Recalled Over Potentially 'Life-Threatening' Allergy Risk

A company is recalling its pasta salads because they may contain an undeclared allergen. This may pose a risk for a potentially "serious or life-threatening" allergic reaction.

The recalled "Craftology This Is My Happy Place Pasta Salad" products may contain undeclared cashews, according to the company announcement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website. This could be problematic for those who have a cashew allergy.

Cashew allergies are "often linked to severe and even fatal complications," Healthline explained. Reactions typically start immediately after the exposure, though they may also appear hours later, albeit rarely. Symptoms may include vomiting, runny nose, diarrhea, itchiness in the mouth and throat, shortness of breath or even anaphylaxis.

"The most common complication from a cashew allergy is a systemic reaction, meaning it can affect the whole body," according to Healthline. "If the reaction is severe it can be life-threatening."

In the case of the current recall, no adverse reactions from consuming the product have been reported, the announcement noted.

The recall affects the "Craftology This Is My Happy Place Pasta Salad" products that came in 14-ounce plastic clamshell packaging and were distributed in retail stores in midwestern U.S. states.

Certain Lot codes and Use By date combinations are affected by the recall. For instance, it affects products with the Use By date of Oct. 4, 2022, and Lot Code of 223008 as well as those with the Use By date of Oct. 27, 2022, and Lot Code of 222209. A full list of the combinations and a photo of the product's packaging are available on the FDA website.

The problem, Craftology noted, was not because of a "food safety hazard" by the company itself. Instead, it stemmed from a recall by its supplier of sunflower seeds, Lipari Foods Operating Company, which in turn gets the ingredient from Shah Trading Company.

"On October 5, 2022, Lipari, a distributor of Shah Trading products, initiated a recall of sunflower seeds that Company uses in the above referenced product due to an undeclared allergen, Cashew, which was discovered in a case of the Sunflower Seeds Oil RS bulk product produced by Shah Trading," the announcement noted.

Lipari Foods has also issued a recall on certain sesame sticks mix and roasted and salted sunflower meat tub products that were sold as generic products because of undeclared cashews.

Those who find that they are in possession of the recalled Craftology pasta salad products may return them to where they were bought to get a full refund. Those who have questions about the issuance may contact the company at 616-772-5921.