Two Starbucks food items were voluntarily recalled last week because of concerns of contamination with listeria or allergens.
Progressive Gourmet Inc., the food manufacturer that makes breakfast sandwiches for Starbucks, said the sausage, egg and cheddar cheese on English muffin breakfast sandwiches potentially have listeria contamination. Routine testing by the company revealed the presence of listeria on a contact surface within the production facility.
The potential impacted sandwiches, which came in a 6-ounce, clear plastic label, were marked with “Best Before: 07-AUG-2016” on top of the package. The products were sold in 250 stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas on Thursday and Friday.
As soon as Starbucks was informed of this potential problem, the FDA said, the products were removed from the stores that might have received them.
According to the FDA, listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women who are infected by listeria are at risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
Cheese and fruit recall
Starbucks also recalled its “Cheese & Fruit Bistro Box” packs. An ingredient supplier issued a recall for boxes with an “enjoy by date” of March 4 for a specific lot of almonds used to construct the bistro boxes.
The almonds may contain undeclared cashews, which may cause serious or life-threatening reaction if consumed by people who are allergic or sensitive to cashews, Starbucks said.
The boxes were distributed to retail stores in Washington state.
According to Starbucks, the company removed the effected products from stores as soon as it became aware of the issue and says no other products or “enjoy by” dates are included in this recall.
People who are not allergic to cashews can safely consume the product, Starbucks said.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with either of the Starbucks’ products.
