Peanut Sauce Mislabeled As 'Sweet Chilli Sauce' Recalled Over Allergy Concerns

A Texas-based company is recalling its peanut sauce bottles that were mislabeled as sweet chili sauce. People who are allergic to peanuts may have a serious reaction if they accidentally consume the product.

On Sept. 10, the brand Pretty Thai and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of "a small number" of Pretty Thai Peanut Sauce that were found to be mislabeled as Pretty Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. The affected products have the Lot Code 0772000123 and were packed in cylindrical PET bottles that had the label "Pretty Thai Sweet Chili Sauce" but the contents were yellowish or golden in color instead of the signature dark red of the brand's sweet chili sauce.

According to the company announcement posted on the FDA website, the now-recalled products were distributed to H-E-B and Central Market stores in Texas between March 10 and Sept. 8 of this year. Although no illnesses related to the product have been reported to date, all the affected products are being removed from the shelves while Texas consumers who bought Pretty Thai products are being advised to check their purchase to make sure that they are safe to eat.

"People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the mislabeled product," the company announcement states.

As reported by the FDA, the problem seems to have stemmed from an issue in the production and packaging process.

The University of Michigan Health System explains that the allergic reaction happens when the immune system overreacts to the presence of the peanuts and releases chemicals into the blood. It is then these chemicals that may affect various tissues in the body including the skin, nose, eyes, and even blood vessels and airways.

Although the symptoms may be mild, such as runny nose, hives or a tingling sensation in the tongue or lips, a severe reaction can lead to anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction that affects the entire body. This could lead to major issues including a rapid swelling of the body, which is particularly dangerous if it affects the tongue, throat or mouth as this can interfere with the patient's breathing.

In some cases, people may even be so allergic to peanuts that by just simply breathing in air with peanut residue can already trigger a reaction.

Since anaphylaxis may happen from minutes to hours within the consumption of the allergen, it is important to always keep an epinephrine shot nearby and to call 911 for further instructions should an emergency arise.