Trader Joe's Just Recalled This Product for Posing Life-Threatening Risk
First, there were the salmonella-contaminated onions and now, Trader Joe's is being forced to recall another beloved product for a very frightening reason: Orca Bay Foods, LLC is recalling 4,450 lb. (356 cases) of Trader Joe's brand Gluten Free Battered Halibut, because it contains undeclared wheat and milk allergens, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed on Oct. 23. People who bought the fish presumably sought out a product without gluten, and could potentially have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat and milk. So, consuming the so-called "gluten free" fish now runs them the risk of a serious or even life-threatening allergic reaction. Read on for what you need to know about this recall, and for another dangerous product being yanked off the shelves, check out This Common Household Item Has Been Recalled Over Fire Risk.
"If you purchased any of the Gluten Free Battered Halibut … and have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat and/or milk, please do not eat it," Trader Joe's posted on its website on Oct. 23. "We urge you to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joe's for a full refund."
If you have the Gluten Free Battered Halibut in your freezer, check the end of the box for the following text, "537312620 Best If Used By Nov 5, 2021," as these are the affected products.
The contaminated fish were sold in Trader Joe's stores in 19 states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Luckily, no illnesses have been reported to date.
Related: 4 New Trader Joe's products to stock up on for Thanksgiving
According to the FDA, consumers who have purchased the fish are "urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund." You can also call 1-800-932-ORCA on Monday through Friday (from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. PST), Trader Joe's Customer Relations at 626-599-3817 on Monday through Friday (from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST), or send Trader Joe's an email.
Read on for other recent recalls that should be on your radar, and for other products putting you at risk, know that If You Have These Popular Pieces of Furniture at Home, Get Rid of Them.
1
Rocky Mountain Oils essential oils
On Oct. 22, Rocky Mountain Oils recalled five different types of its essential oils—Wintergreen, and its Pain Ease, Relieve Me, Sports Pro, and True Blue essential oil blends—for two reasons: 1) They contain a potentially harmful ingredient and 2) The bottles are not childproof. The oils' ingredients include methyl salicylate, a topical pain reliever that can be poisonous if ingested, the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 33,000 bottles of the oils were sold through the Rocky Mountain Oils website and Amazon between May 2014 and Oct. 2020.
2
Spice Hunter spices
Another health risk could be hiding in your spice cabinet. On Oct. 12, the FDA announced that The Spice Hunter was recalling 29 of its spices and spice blends, including black pepper, cayenne, paprika, roasted garlic, cinnamon, parsley, and everything bagel spice.
3
Sunshine Mills dog food
In mid-October, 25 types of Sunshine Mills dog food were recalled. One was potentially contaminated with salmonella, and the other 24 had potential contamination from aflatoxin, a mold byproduct. And for more important safety information delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
4
Homerygardens extension cord splitters
On Oct. 15, Homerygardens recalled its outdoor extension cord splitters due to fire concerns. According to the recall notice from the CPSC, the splitters' wiring could not support the amp load it professes to be equipped for, which presents a fire hazard. And if you want to stay safe, know that If You Have This Fan in Your House, Stop Using It Immediately.
5
Peloton bike pedals
The popular at-home workout company Peloton recalled 27,000 bikes' pedals (labeled PR70P) on Oct. 14 after learning they could snap and injure riders. At the time of the recall, 120 broken pedals and 16 injuries—including one that required stitches—had been reported. And if you want to avoid a different kind of household accident, find out why This Might Be the Most Dangerous Thing in Your Home, New Study Says.