E S Foods, a Woodbury, New York company, recalled 3,700 cases of “Meal Breaks” items this Tuesday. The product was widely distributed to school meal programs, as well as other foodservice distributors. The lack of labeling on the individual products makes the recall of the items particularly problematic.
”Meal Breaks” Distributed to School Meal Programs Recalled Due to Listeria Concerns
E S Foods recalled the Meal Breaks due to the fact that each contained individually packed Sunrich Natural Sunflower Kernels (Roasted & Salted), Net Wt. 1 oz. The Sunrich kernels may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, and are part of the multiple recalls sparked by the recall of sunflower kernels by large supplier and distributor SunOpta. The SunOpta recall has been associated with recalls by companies including Treehouse Farms and Quaker Oats.
The company reported that the “potential for contamination was noted after we received notification from SunOpta, our sunflower kernel supplier, pertaining to positive Listeria monocytogenes results.”
The recalled Meal Breaks were notably distributed to school meal programs in addition to food banks and foodservice distributors. The general target demographic for the foods becomes clear when one reads the list of recalled foods, which includes cinnamon pop tarts and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Distribution of the recalled products occurred between April 21st and May 13th. Distribution of the products was limited to the following states: California, Wisconsin, Kansas, Washington, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Utah and Texas.
Recalled ”Meal Breaks” Products
The Meal Breaks being recalled are packed in a master case. Those cases are labeled with the product code number, product description, “Best Used By” date, and lot code. This is the information necessary to identify whether or not the products are subject to the recall. That information for the recalled Meal Breaks is as follows:
- Cheese Stick with Beef Stick, Item 61406
- Lot #6111, Best Used By 11/11/16
- Lot #6124, Best Used By 09/02/16 or 12/10/16
- Cheese Sauce, Item 61410
- Lot #6126, Best Used By 03/01/17
- Cheese Stick, Item 61418
- Lot #6112, Best Used By 12/09/16
- Chips & Dip, Item 61419
- Lot #6116, Best Used By 12/01/16
- Lime Bean Dippers, Item 61420
- Lot #6112, Best Used By 10/26/16
- Cheese Cup, Item 61430
- Lot #6116, Best Used By 01/15/17
- Frosted Flakes with Cheese Stick, Item 61438
- Lot #6112, Best Used By 09/19/16
- Cinnamon Pop Tarts, Item 61439
- Lot #6112, Best Used By 12/10/16
- PBJ with Milk, Item 61602
- Lot #6125, Best Used By 01/11/17
- Tuna Salad with Milk, Item 61603
- Lot #6126, Best Used By 02/09/17
- BBQ Chicken with Milk, Item 61605
- Lot #6125, Best Used By 02/09/17
No illnesses have been reported to date.
Return to Sender: Customer Action Requested
E S Foods states that customers who purchased any of the recalled products have to contact E S Foods to arrange for product retrieval. In addition, E S Foods ask customers who have further distributed the recalled Meal Breaks to “please immediately contact your accounts, advise them of the recall situation, and have them return their outstanding recalled stocks to you and maintain and shore your record and retrieval of these items.”
E S Foods encourages customers with questions to contact the company at 516-682-5484, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm, ET.
