Business

Thousands of frozen pizzas from Vermont company recalled over deadly allergen risk

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Social Links for Shannon Thaler
Published April 29, 2024, 3:02 p.m. ET

More than 8,000 boxes of frozen meat pizza were recalled because of misbranding and undeclared allergens that could prove fatal, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

The frozen pizzas made by meat processing plant 802 VT Frozen in Newport contained soy, a known allergen, the federal agency said.

Soy allergies affect one in 13 children under 3, and eating it can trigger symptoms like difficulty breathing, weak pulse, stomach cramps, swollen tongue, dizziness and confusion, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

A hand holding a recalled 802 VT Frozen meat pizza box with a fire image on it
The USDA recalled over 8,200 pounds of frozen pizzas for not disclosing that they contain soy, a common allergen that often affects young children. FSIS

The association also warned of rare instances where anaphylaxis may occur, “a potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing, causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and can send the body into shock,” which can only be treated with an epi pen.

The USDA assured that “no confirmed reports of adverse reactions” have taken place due from anyone eating the pizzas, which contain Italian-style sweet sausage, pepperoni and meatballs on top of a cheesy blend of mozzarella and provolone.

The mislabeled pizzas were detected by the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) during routine verification activities.

“FSIS determined that the product contained soy, which was not declared on the label,” the USDA said.

The recall affects packages that have a “best if used by” date range between April 25, 2024, and April 25, 2025 and an “EST. 46308” number inside the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the cardboard box, according to an alert on the Department of Agriculture’s website.

The soy-containing frozen pizzas can be returned or refunded to wherever they were purchased, which the USDA said was at grocery store chains in New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Recall notice for 802 VT Frozen distributed pizzas containing undisclosed soy allergen
The 802 VT-made pizzas included in the recall have “best if used by” dates between April 25, 2024, and April 25, 2025, as well as establishment number “EST. 46308.” FSIS

FSIS also found last week that more than a dozen ground beef products produced by the Greater Omaha Packing Co. may be tainted with E. coli.

The agency said it was “concerned that some products may be in consumers’ and food service institutions’ freezers” and urged the public not to consume them due to possible contamination.

Packaging of the products, which were made on March 28, should show an April 22 “Use/Freeze by” date and the establishment number “EST. 960A.”