Fresh Express cites human error in third salad recall this year

For the third time this year, Chiquita Brands International’s salad division Fresh Express is recalling salad kits because of undeclared allergen issues, this time openly blaming human error.

This time the Orlando-based Fresh Express is recalling almost 2,500 cases of Caesar Salad Kits that may contain the wrong condiment packets, which contain the known allergen walnuts that is not reflected on the salad labels. Retailers in 19 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico “possibly” received the recalled salads, according to a notice on the Food and Drug Administration website. It is the second time this year that the wrong condiment packets have been inserted into Fresh Express salads. The first instance resulted in a Feb. 6 recall of bagged, chopped romaine because a production line error resulted in condiment packets for other products being included in the romaine bags. In May, Fresh Express had to recall its Farmers Market Chopped Asian Salad Kit because the wrong labels were applied on the salads during production, resulting in undeclared allergens of soy, almonds, wheat. The current recall involved 7.6-ounce Fresh Express Caesar Salad Kits with the product code G163B13A, a use-by date of June 26, and a UPC number of 0 71279 30100 6. “Fresh Express representatives are already working with retailers to ensure any incorrectly packed salad kits are rapidly removed from store shelves and inventories,” according to the recall notice. “Fresh Express is coordinating closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to effectively manage this isolated incident caused by human error.” Consumers in possession of the recalled product should discard it. A refund is available where purchased or by contacting the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center toll-free at 800-242-5472 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)