NEW YORK, Nov 9: Amid rising US regulatory glare on imported products, House of Spices (India) Inc, promoted by Indian-origin Gordhandas Soni, is recalling packages of ‘Laxmi Nutkhhat Golden Raisin’ food treats because they contain undeclared sulfites.
The recall was initiated earlier this week after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel “revealed the presence of sulfites in 200 gms packages” of the product which were not declared on the label, as per a recall statement issued through US health regulator FDA.
The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics.
Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites.
Analysis of the “Laxmi Nutkhhat Golden Raisin” revealed they contained 30 grams per serving, the statement added.
The recalled products were distributed in New York & New Jersey retail stores.
The company, which is an importer, producer and distributor of food items from the Indian subcontinent, currently operates in a facility located in the Willets Point section of Queens.
Consumers who have severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.
However, no illnesses or allergic reactions involving this product have been reported to date, the statement said.
Amid concerns that the USFDA is not doing 100 per cent inspections of imported food even as volumes have shot up in recent years, the American health regulator has stepped up efforts to identify problems at the earliest.
A new food safety law signed in 2011 requires importers and countries to verify all imports meet US standards.
It also requires the FDA to do more inspections and open offices in foreign countries.
Cvil engineer by profession, Soni, who immigrated in mid 1960s, was engaged in importation, production and distribution of ethnic Indian foods in the 1970’s.
The company grew from a single store in Queens to a business which in 2013 had annual sales revenue approaching millions of dollars, according to various documents. (PTI)
^^^^^
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel