BASETTERRE, St. Kitts - LONG-STANDING rice brand ‘Uncle Ben’ has seen a large recall of some of its infused flavored rice products due to “allergic reactions” in some of its customers.
According to information reaching SKNVibes Business, several schools in the Western United States area of Houston saw students and other individuals developing mild flushing and rashes after consuming one or more of the Uncle Ben products.
Information received also states that the Food and Drug Administration of the US Government - its watch dog agency on food - warned last Monday (Feb. 10) against eating the “infused” versions of the rice brand after three separate illnesses were found across the country.
CNN -in a published report states that three schools in the Houston area have seen children developing the allergic reaction.
However, Mars Foodservices - the production company -said it found out last week that some people at three Houston schools had “experienced allergic-like symptoms of mild flushing and rash" after eating Uncle Ben's Mexican Flavor Infused Rice, CNN reported.
At that point, the company said, it decided to remove all its infused rice products from the supply chains.
"Our network of distributors, brokers, and sales associates immediately started notifying their customers and collecting the product," Mars Foodservices said.
Calls to local supermarkets by SKNVibes, found that several in St Kitts are unaware of any such recall with one supermarket - Best Buy - relaying to this agency that they received an email from their supplier notifying of the recall.
“The Supplier notified us of such a recall in the United States. The product that is being recalled we do not carry that product. We were notified through email from the supplier.”
Mars Foodservices has however found "a limited amount" of the rice on sale through websites and at some wholesale stores.
"Therefore, we initiated the voluntary recall to ensure that anyone in possession of the product is aware that it should not be served or eaten, but returned to where it was purchased," Mars Foodservices said.
According to the FDA the “infused” flavors of rice are typically only bought for use by restaurants, schools, hospitals and other commercial establishments. But they warned that the products may be available online and at warehouse-type retailers.
St. Kitts Chief Medical officer, Dr. Patrick Martin said he is unaware of such but before any notice is given from the Department of Health, they must receive an official word from the necessary agency.
“Well that is the norm…so when there is a problem in the United States we are notified, if there is a problem in Guyana we are notified. All countries in the world are on a notification list for any product that is a problem. Well, the FDA is the official authority in the United States and the authority here is the CDC.
In the most recent incident, 34 students and four teachers at three public schools in Katy, Texas reported experiencing burning, itching rashes, headaches and nausea for 30 to 90 minutes on Friday (Feb. 14) before the symptoms went away, the Food and Drug Administration said. The students had all eaten Uncle Ben’s Infused Rice Mexican Flavor.
The company has issued a recall order for : Ben’s Infused Rice Roasted Chicken, Garlic & Butter, Mexican, Pilaf, Saffron, Cheese and Spanish flavors as a result of the incidents, and officials have warned people not to eat any of the company’s infused rice products sold in the five and 25-pound bags.
