In late October 2024, more than 1,600 units of Hannaford Seafood Salads were recalled due to a mislabeling issue. The recall, which affected products in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York, was initiated after it was discovered that some salads may contain undeclared hydrolyzed soy protein.
This posed a risk to individuals with soy allergies, leading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to classify the recall as a Class II risk. A Class II recall indicates that exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health issues, but the risk of serious health consequences is low.
The recall included 278 cases of the seafood salad, which were produced by Elevation Foods. These salads had been distributed between October 25 and 29, 2024, and had use-by dates of November 13 and 14, 2024.
The mislabeling occurred because the printer responsible for creating the product labels mistakenly sent labels for a future product formulation instead of the correct labels for the salads currently being sold. This labeling error led to the undeclared presence of soy protein in the products, which could be dangerous for consumers with soy allergies.
Hannaford Seafood Salad Recall Affects 1,600 Units Due to Soy Allergen Mislabeling
Soy is a known allergen, and the FDA emphasized the importance of declaring soy on food labels to protect consumers. Individuals with soy allergies may experience symptoms ranging from mild stomach issues to severe reactions such as difficulty breathing, hives, and vomiting. In extreme cases, a soy allergy can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis. For this reason, consumers with soy allergies were urged not to consume the recalled salads and to seek a full refund if they had purchased the affected products.
Elevation Foods has not reported any cases of illness linked to the recalled salads, and the company has worked quickly to remove the products from store shelves. The recall only affected Hannaford stores, where the salads were sold, and all affected products were promptly taken off shelves following the initial warning on October 31. Customers who bought the affected products have been advised to return them for a full refund.
The FDA’s classification of the recall as Class II highlights the potential but limited risk to health, primarily for those with soy allergies. The issue underscores the importance of accurate labeling in preventing food allergen exposure. Consumers who are unsure about whether they have purchased the affected salads can check the use-by date printed on the container’s lid to confirm whether they are at risk.
