020224 Conagra Recalls Soup For Undeclared Allergen

Washington - ConAgra Foods Inc. voluntarily recalled 408,000 pounds of its Healthy Choice-brand chicken noodle soup because they contain a known allergen not listed as an ingredient, the U.S. Agriculture Department said.

USDA said ConAgra Grocery Products Co., based in Archbold, Ohio, made the recall after the company failed to inform consumers on its soup labels that whey protein was in the product.

USDA said ConAgra identified the labeling problem after receiving several consumer complaints.

The products were produced on May 14, 2001 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide and exported to 19 countries, including the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

“We urge consumers, especially those with known allergies or sensitivities, to check their cupboards and pantries,” said Margaret Glavin, acting administrator for USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The recalled soups are 15-ounce cans of Healthy Choice Old Fashioned chicken noodle soup, which actually contain turkey and rice. USDA said the top of each can bears a package code beginning with “15EN” followed by another number from 1 through 8 and the establishment code “P91.”

Glavin said consumers should return the product to the point of purchase.

This is the second recall from a ConAgra Foods plant in less than a month.

Last month, ConAgra subsidiary Swift and Company, the third largest U.S. pork packer, voluntarily recalled some Armour brand fresh marinated pork loin products because they did not list milk protein as an ingredient.

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com