The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IOur severity:SevereUSDA FSIS·111-2016·Announced 2016-11-22

Heinz Recalls Mislabeled Au Jus Gravy Containing Undeclared Allergens

H.J. Heinz is recalling approximately 5,022 pounds of bistro au jus gravy that was incorrectly labeled as pork gravy. The product contains undeclared milk and soy allergens.

The agency’s classification

USDA FSIS: Class I

Class I is 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.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source metadata explicitly classifies this recall as 'High - Class I' and 'Class I'. Per the rubric, USDA Class I recalls are assigned a severity score of 4 (Severe), even though no adverse reactions have been reported.

Plain-English summary

H.J. Heinz Co. initiated a recall on November 19, 2016, of approximately 5,022 pounds of bistro au jus gravy product. The product is subject to recall because it was incorrectly labeled as pork gravy due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The au jus gravy contains milk and soy, which are known allergens not declared on the incorrect pork gravy labels.

The affected product consists of 558 cases containing 12-ounce jars of HEINZ HOMESTYLE BISTRO AU JUS GRAVY. These jars are mislabeled with Homestyle Pork Gravy labels and bear a Best By date of 12/28/2017 with code MU6F04 on the jar cap and case. The products were produced on June 4, 2016, and bear establishment number M2041 inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to a distributor and to retail locations nationwide, including more than 1,000 retail stores.

The issue was discovered on November 17, 2016, after a customer reported that a jar labeled as Heinz Homestyle Pork Gravy looked darker than expected. The company determined that a box of pork gravy labels was mistakenly used during the production and packaging of the au jus gravy on June 4, 2016. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.

The recalled product

Product
H.J. Heinz Co. Recalls Products Incorrectly Labeled As Pork Gravy Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
Category
Food — Gravy
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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