An urgent recall has been issued for canned beans sold at Walmart and other grocers over fears they pose a life-threatening health risk.
The FDA is recalling 4,510 cases of Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans sold across 23 states because they contain undeclared soy.
About 1.9million people in the US are allergic to soy, and can suffer from anaphylaxis if they eat the substance — a life-threatening allergic reaction that can leave them gasping for breath.
No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date, but the FDA is urging people to throw out the beans or return them to stores for a full refund.
The beans are sold in 15-ounce cans with a best-by date of February 17, 2028 — and were made by Tennessee-based Vietti Food Group.
The can has a black label with a large, yellow ‘Y’ on the front, as well a a picture of beans cooking in a saucepan.
A representative for the brand said the affected beans were sold in Walmart, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Hy-Vee and Meijer, among others.
The above is a stock image of beans. It was a brand sold by Vietti Food Group that was recalled because it contained undeclared soy
The above shows the label used on the recalled canned beans
The FDA said in its alert: ‘Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.’
The recall was called in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
It was not clear exactly how many cans of beans were being recalled or how the soy had entered the baked beans.
But it is likely that the soy was contained in the sauce, where it is used to tone down the sweetness and add depth to the flavor.
Food workers then did not declare the sauce’s presence on the label, which led to the recall.
Soy comes from soybeans and is commonly consumed in foods. It is one of nine major allergens, with the others being milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and sesame.
It poses no risks to someone who does not have a soy allergy.
But for patients with this, they can quickly experience a tingling sensation in the mouth and swelling of the lips and face after consuming soy.
Experts say they can also break out in hives, itching or eczema, and suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea.
It comes after a March recall was issued for 200,000 cans of popular vegetables sold at Target over fears they were contaminated with a foreign object.
Good & Gather Cut Green Beans – distributed by Target – have been recalled in just about two dozen states, including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Texas.
On February 12, 197,808 cans were recalled. On March 13, the recall was named as the second-highest risk level, or a ‘Class II’ distinction.
The FDA did not explain in its release what sort of foreign object had been found in the cans, but these are typically pits and bones that have not been removed.
