The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the recall of Paras Premium Golden Raisins as the highest risk due to an undeclared allergen in the product.
Newsweek called Apna Wholesale, the company that initiated the recall, but they were not immediately available for comment.
Why It Matters
According to the FDA’s website, a Class I recall is issued when there is “a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
What To Know
Apna Wholesale recalled 7-ounce and 14-ounce Paras Premium Golden Raisins on January 7, 2025, due to the presence of undeclared sulfur dioxide (sulfites).
On February 18, the FDA issued a Class I recall warning that people who are sensitive or allergic to sulfites and consume the recalled raisins may experience a severe or life-threatening reaction.
According to the FDA, consuming 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been shown to cause severe reactions in some asthmatics, potentially leading to anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening allergic response.
In its recall classification, the FDA noted that the product contained 56.8 milligrams of sulfites per serving.
The recalled raisins were distributed to Apna Bazar Farmers Market locations in New York and Massachusetts.
The raisins are in clear packaging with UPC numbers 818051014811 and 818051014828, and the recall covers 598 product cases.
The nine most common food allergens in the United States are milk, eggs, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame.
There had been no reported illnesses by January 22, when the recall was first published by the FDA, but the process is still ongoing.
What People Are Saying
According to the FDA’s website, symptoms of food allergies usually appear within a few minutes to a few hours after a person consumes the food to which he or she is allergic. Anaphylaxis refers to a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction.
Symptoms of allergic reactions may include:
- Hives
- Flushed skin or rashes
- Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
- Face, tongue, or lip swelling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Coughing or wheezing
- Dizziness and/or light-headedness
- Swelling of the throat and vocal cords
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
People who have a known food allergy and experience any of these symptoms should discontinue eating the food immediately, assess the need for emergency medication (such as epinephrine), and seek medical attention.
What’s Next
Customers who purchased the recalled raisins are asked to not consume the product and return them where they were originally bought to receive for a full refund.
If customers have additional questions, they may reach Apna Wholesale’s customer support number at 516-807-4555.
