Recall Alert: These Frozen Vegetables May Contain Pieces Of Plastic

Over 180 cases of frozen vegetables are being pulled from the market because they may be contaminated with pieces of plastic.

Derrick Reckord, president and CEO of GraceKennedy Foods USA (GK Foods USA), said the "La Fe Peppers and Onions" may contain pieces of small, blue plastic, which could potentially cause "adverse health consequences."

The affected products come in 16-oz packs with the Batch Number "Lot #KR043021" and Best Before Date of March 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted. It also provided a photo of the product's packaging for consumers' reference.

In total, 187 cases of the product are being recalled, all of which were only distributed in the North-East U.S., the FDA said. Those who may have purchased an affected product are being advised to return the item to where they bought it to get a full refund.

Class 2 Recall

It is considered a Class 2 recall, Reckord said. Recall classifications are assigned by the FDA depending on the "degree" of the hazard presented by the product. A Class 2 recall is the situation wherein the probability of an adverse health consequence upon using the product is considered "remote."

In the case of the current recall, there have been no reports of any injuries or health issues related to the affected products. However, the company has decided to recall the entire batch "out of an abundance of caution."

No other La Fe products are affected by the recall, but anyone who still has questions about it may contact the company at 201.329.6260 ext. 5137.

"GK Foods USA wishes to assure consumers that their safety is always considered paramount," Reckord said. "Providing safe, high quality products remains our number one priority."

Foreign Objects In Food

As the FDA explained, hard foreign objects in food may cause traumatic injuries that may affect the mouth, throat, tongue, gums and even the intestine and stomach. From 1972 to 1997, the FDA evaluated some 190 cases of sharp or hard foreign objects in food.

Often, the FDA said, objects that are less than 7 mm "rarely" cause serious injuries in people except in certain groups such as infants, older individuals and surgery patients.