Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Big Island Candies Brownie Assortment recall: Contains undeclared peanuts

Recall published 2+ years ago

Contains undeclared peanuts

Big Island Candies Other food products — recalled other food productsBig Island Candies Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)Big Island Candies Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 3)Big Island Candies Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared peanuts or tree nuts

An undeclared allergen — peanuts or tree nuts — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

What the notice says: People who have an allergy or sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Why it matters: The label does not declare peanuts or tree nuts, so anyone who reads labels to avoid it has no way of knowing it is in there. For people without that allergy the product is safe to eat.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
January 16, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Big Island Candies
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Hawaii

Products covered by this recall

Brownie Assortment

What the company announced

Big Island Candies of Hilo, Hawaii is voluntarily recalling 120 boxes of their Makana Brownie Assortment Box (batch 60) purchased from its Ala Moana Store located at 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii between December 13, 2023 – December 21, 2023 because the product contains undeclared peanuts.

This product is harmful to people with a peanut allergy. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

A portion of the box may contain Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Brownies instead of Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Brownies. The label does not depict peanut as a key ingredient.

The affected products were only sold at the Ala Moana store and can be identified by the following PLU batch Code of RFFIC 326760 at the back of the box in the top right corner.

This recall was initiated as a result of information received by a consumer who had an adverse reaction. To date, no other incidents have been reported. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused at the packing and labeling stage and was limited to batch 60 of this item.

Consumers who have purchased the 10 oz. Box of the Makana Brownie Assortment or received this as a gift with the batch code of RFFIC 326760 are urged to return them to either one of our stores for a full refund or replacement.

Consumers with questions can call 1.800.935.5510 (ext. 283) between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (HST) Monday through Friday or email us anytime Monday - Sunday at [email protected] . For additional information please visit www.bigislandcandies.com and click on “Important Announcements”.

Big Island Candies would like to sincerely apologize to its loyal customers for this very unfortunate situation and any inconvenience this may cause.

# # # #

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 3 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 60
  • RFFIC 326760

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 10 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Nuts

Big Island Candies — An undeclared allergen — peanuts or tree nuts — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids peanuts or tree nuts, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. Keep the pack if you want a refund, or photograph the label and the lot code and then bin it. If nobody in the house avoids peanuts or tree nuts, you may simply eat it — the recall is about disclosure, not spoilage.
  3. Make sure the household epinephrine auto-injector is where it should be and in date, if someone here carries one.
  4. If a reaction has already happened, report it to the FDA through its consumer complaint coordinator so the case is attached to this recall.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: Box of the Makana Brownie Assortment or received this as a gift with the batch code of RFFIC 326760 are urged to return them to either one of our stores for a full refund or replacement.

Company contact: Big Island Candies — Consumers: 1.800.935.5510 (ext. 283), [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Big Island Candies other food products recalled?

Contains undeclared peanuts People who have an allergy or sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code 60, RFFIC 326760. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

If anyone in your household avoids peanuts or tree nuts, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Box of the Makana Brownie Assortment or received this as a gift with the batch code of RFFIC 326760 are urged to return them to either one of our stores for a full refund or replacement.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Hawaii.

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