Everyone heard of Sara Lee. Well, this is the company that owns that brand and others.
Federal food safety officials have issued a warning to Bimbo Bakeries USA, a major U.S. bakery group, regarding inaccurate allergen labeling on its products. The bakery, which includes popular brands like Sara Lee, Oroweat, Thomas’, Entenmann’s, and Ball Park buns and rolls, has been found to list ingredients such as sesame and tree nuts on their product labels even though these allergens are not present in the foods. This practice has led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to classify these products as “misbranded.”
Whatever the most expensive, pointless option is, government will force you to make it.
FDA says Bimbo Bakery has to label allergens, but Bimbo can’t totally prevent cross-contamination so they list allergens on labels, and FDA says they can’t do that. https://t.co/mSOZGkZVMw
— Rhonda Rhoades (@NewWaveIngenue) June 26, 2024
The warning emerged from inspections conducted late last year at Bimbo’s facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, and Topeka, Kansas. These facilities produce items such as Sara Lee and Brownberry breads. During these inspections, the FDA determined that Bimbo Bakeries was in violation of FDA regulations that require truthful and non-misleading food labeling.
In response to the FDA’s findings, advocacy groups have expressed significant concerns. FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), a nonprofit organization, highlighted that accurate labeling is crucial for the safety of the approximately 33 million Americans with food allergies, who rely on clear labels to avoid potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. Sung Poblete, CEO of FARE, emphasized that inaccurate labeling not only undermines trust but also restricts food choices for individuals with allergies.
Bimbo Bakeries, headquartered in Mexico City and touted as the largest commercial baking company in the U.S., has responded to the warning by affirming their commitment to protecting consumers with allergen sensitivities. The company stated that it is in discussions with the FDA to address and resolve the issue promptly.
The FDA has issued a warning to Bimbo Bakeries USA for mislabeling allergens on their products. Accurate labeling is crucial to protect the health and safety of consumers with food allergies.
Read More – https://t.co/LsIBdZlBVx pic.twitter.com/mhQlLvfq6Q
— Business Leaders Review (@blrmagazine) June 26, 2024
The controversy around allergen labeling at Bimbo Bakeries and other companies intensified following a 2022 law that mandated sesame to be included on the list of major allergens that must be declared on packaging. Due to the challenges and costs associated with preventing cross-contamination of sesame within production facilities, some companies opted to add small amounts of sesame to their products deliberately. This practice, although technically compliant with federal regulations, was seen as violating the spirit of these laws, according to the FDA.
The FDA found that Bimbo Bakeries USA, which includes brands such as Sara Lee, Oroweat, Thomas’ and Entenmann’s, listed ingredients such as sesame or tree nuts on labels even when they weren’t in the foods. https://t.co/LrP2Cz22Ad
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) June 26, 2024
The FDA acknowledged that statements indicating a product “may contain” certain allergens could be considered truthful and not misleading if there is a risk of cross-contamination. However, listing allergens that are not present in the products as ingredients goes beyond precautionary labeling and misleads consumers.
Bimbo officials have been given a deadline of July 8 to outline the measures they have implemented to correct the labeling issue or to justify why their current labeling practices do not violate FDA standards. This case highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities associated with food labeling and allergen management in the food manufacturing industry.
Key Points:
i. Bimbo Bakeries USA has been warned by the FDA for misbranding products by inaccurately listing allergens like sesame and tree nuts on labels of products that do not contain these ingredients.
ii. The issue was identified during FDA inspections of Bimbo’s facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, and Topeka, Kansas, leading to products being classified as “misbranded.”
iii. FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) expressed concerns that inaccurate allergen labeling compromises the safety and food choices of the 33 million Americans with food allergies.
iv. The controversy stems from a 2022 law requiring sesame to be listed as an allergen, prompting some companies to add sesame to products or label them as containing sesame to avoid cross-contamination issues.
v. Bimbo Bakeries, asserting a commitment to consumer safety, is in talks with the FDA to resolve the issue and has until July 8 to demonstrate compliance or justify its labeling practices.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
