HHS NEWS

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

P98-16                             FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Judith Foulke 
May 29, 1998                       (301) 827-6242

***CORRECTION*** The Barcelona Fruit and Nut Mix in 7 oz. Packaging applies to ALL LOTS. ******

FDA WARNS ABOUT SULFITES IN BARCELONA FRUIT AND NUT MIX

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers who have a sensitivity to sulfites not to purchase or eat Fruit and Nut Mix, in 7 oz. plastic packs manufactured by the Barcelona Nut Company, Baltimore, Maryland. The product contains high levels of undeclared sulfites, and people who are sensitive to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they consume this product.

Barcelona Fruit and Nut Mix, in 7 ounce plastic packages, was known to have been distributed to retail stores in Maryland and New York. The product packaging is labeled with red, white and blue ink.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The Fruit and Nut Mix 7-ounce products do not contain an ingredient statement, a requirement of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. One lot of the 7-ounce size was analyzed in labs of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and found to contain sulfites at levels substantially above what is considered potentially life-threatening to persons with sulfite sensitivity.

The Barcelona Nut Company has recalled the product from commercial distribution. FDA is issuing this warning in order alert those who may have purchased this product and still have it in their homes.

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