Harry & David Recalls Harry and David Hearthside Soups, Southwestern Chicken Chili Mix for an Undeclared Milk Ingredient

According to a recent press release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on September 12, 2007, Harry & David Operations Corp., of Medford, Oregon, is recalling approximately 1440 bags of Harry and David Hearthside Soups, Southwestern Chicken Chili Mix. These products were distributed throughout the United States through Harry and David Stores beginning March 5th, 2007.

These packages may possibly contain a milk ingredient, whey, not listed on the label as an ingredient. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the definition of whey is the" watery fraction that forms along with curd when milk coagulates. It contains the water-soluble constituents of milk and is essentially a 5 percent solution of lactose in water, with some minerals and lactalbumin". People who cannot consume dairy products run the risk of serious or possible life threatening allergic reactions if they eat these products. There have been no reported illnesses at this time according to the company.

Symptoms that could indicate a possible allergy to milk products are:

* Excessive colic
* Recurrent diarrhea
* Vomiting, abdominal pain
* Excoriated (raw) buttocks
* Rash, hives and eczema
* Recurrent bronchitis
* Ear infections
* Fluid behind the ears
* Wet and wheezy chest
* Coughing
* Irritability
* Failure to thrive
* Chronic runny nose
* Nasal Stuffiness

The products on the recall list are as follows:

All Harry and David Hearthside Soups, Southwestern Chicken Chili Mix with a 8221-1 lot code. These products include: Clear plastic bags of soup mix, 12 to 16 oz. in weight, tied at the top with a cream and red colored ribbon. The lot code can be found on the price sticker on the bottom of the bag. Please note that the price sticker states "Fajita Chili". This product was made for Harry & David by Conifer Specialty, Inc., a co-packer.

The problem occurred when the production line had bags with labeled for Southwestern Chicken Chili Mix but the product put inside was actually the Fajita Chili Mix product. The Fajita Chili Mix product uses a milk ingredient called whey. The problem will be prevented in the future by assuring that the production line is cleared of labeled bags before changing to a new product of food to be packaged.

If you have any questions about the recalled product, call the Customer Service division at 800-345-5655. This number is available 24 hours a day. You can also find out about a refund through customer service.

Source: www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/harrydavid09_07.html