A recall of mousse desserts announced earlier this month has received the highest risk classification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sabores Fit Bakery, a company in Florida, announced a voluntary recall of a variety of its mousse desserts on June 20 because of the undeclared presence of various allergens.
On June 27, the FDA announced that it had given the recall a Class I risk classification.
A Class I risk classification represents "a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the FDA.
The products were recalled because of the undeclared presence of major food allergens -- including milk, eggs, soy ingredients (soybean oil, soy lecithin), wheat and tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts).
The FDA warned that people with an allergy or severe sensitivity to these allergens "run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products."
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.
The products affected by the recall include the following mousse desserts with the brand name Sabores a Tu Mesa:
The products were packaged in 8-ounce plastic cup containers, with expiration dates of June 26 and July 2. They were distributed to retail locations in the areas of Kissimmee and Orlando, Florida.
As of June 20, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the consumption of these products.
The recall was initiated after a routine inspection discovered that the products were distributed in packaging that did not disclose the presence of the allergens.
The FDA said in its recall statement: "The recalling firm is in the process of implementing corrective actions, including implementing systems to improve labeling, traceability and strengthen our food safety moving forward."
The agency added on its website: "People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food."
Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, the director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: "Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, ten, twenty years. And in the U.S., there's like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods."
The recall of the mousse desserts is ongoing, according to the FDA. Consumers who purchased the recalled products are advised to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.