Sheehan Brothers Vending, an Ohio-based catering business, has issued a recall for six of its popular meals due to the presence of undeclared sesame. Health officials discovered the allergen, which was not listed on the product labels, earlier this month.
The company advises consumers with a sesame allergy who have purchased the affected products to discard them and contact Sheehan Brothers Vending for a replacement. Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
Sheehan Brothers Vending, a family-owned business established in 1956, specializes in providing catering and vending services to office buildings. Their vending machines offer a variety of homemade and name-brand items, including sandwiches, salads, entrees, snacks, and beverages, with an emphasis on healthy alternatives. The company also operates micro markets, which are self-service shops and cafes found in business and public spaces. They pride themselves on continuously innovating to offer popular snacks, beverages, and homemade food items daily.
According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), approximately 33 million individuals in the U.S. live with a food allergy. Sesame is recognized as the ninth moast common food allergy in the United States,as reported by the American Academy of Allergy,Asthma & Immunology.
When an individual with a sesame allergy is exposed to sesame, proteins in the sesame can bind to specific IgE antibodies produced by their immune system.FARE explains that this interaction triggers the immune system’s defenses, resulting in reaction symptoms that can range from mild to severe.The U.S. Food and Drug Management (FDA) officially recognizes nine major allergens: milk, eggs, sesame, fish, tree nuts, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans.
Individuals experiencing signs or symptoms of foodborne illness or allergic reactions are advised to seek immediate medical attention from a physician.
