Mars Chocolate North America Issues Allergy Alert For Select Varieties Of COMBOS® For Potential Undeclared Peanut Residue

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Mars Chocolate North America announced a voluntary recall of certain varieties and limited dates of production of COMBOS® Cheddar Cheese Pretzel, COMBOS® Cheddar Cheese Cracker, COMBOS® Pizzeria Pretzel, COMBOS® Sweet and Salt Caramel Pretzel, COMBOS® Pepperoni Cracker, COMBOS® Buffalo Pretzel.  While those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume products containing peanut allergens, the amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is considered to be low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers.

Mars initiated the recall after its supplier, Grain Craft, recalled certain lots of wheat flour that has the potential to contain low levels of peanut residue. The COMBOS® Brand products subject to the recall may have been produced using the recalled flour. Mars Chocolate is recalling the specific lot numbers referenced below. The FDA advises consumers with severe peanut allergies to avoid the recalled products listed on this page because of peanut residue in the flour used to make the products. The FDA have stated that the amount of peanut exposure from use of the flours and affected products is low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut allergic consumers. To date, Mars Chocolate has received no reports of illness related to the products covered by this recall. No other Mars products are impacted by this recall.

The vast majority of these products were distributed throughout the United States, with the remainder being shipped internationally to the following countries: Bahamas, Jamaica, Virgin Islands-St Thomas, Antigua, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. The affected COMBOS® products have a "best before" date ranging from March, 2017 - April, 2017 on the back of the package. Directly underneath the "best before" date is a 10-digit manufacturing code that includes the code date numbers in the table below:

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Mars Chocolate will work with impacted retailers to ensure that the recalled product is no longer available for sale. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased this item and have allergy concerns, they should return this product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund.  Consumers with questions or concerns may call our toll-free number:   1-800-556-7881.  This number will be operational Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (ET). 

More information about the flour recall can be found on the FDA's website at: http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm504002.htm.

Contact:  
Consumer:
1-800-556-7881

Media:
1-973-691-3536

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America