Cabricharme Cheese Recall: Undeclared Egg Allergy Risk
Quick Facts
Why Was Cabricharme Cheese Recalled?
Whole Foods Market announced an allergy alert involving Fromagerie Coop de Mean Cabricharme cheese after determining that the product contained egg lysozyme, an egg-white protein, without declaring egg on the label. Lysozyme may be used during cheese production to control certain bacteria, but it remains capable of triggering reactions in susceptible people when it is derived from egg.
Accurate allergen labeling is a critical safety measure because consumers often cannot identify hidden proteins by appearance, taste or smell. Under U.S. law, egg is one of nine major food allergens that must be clearly identified on packaged-food labels. Consumers should consult the official recall notice for the affected packaging, purchase locations and product-identification details rather than assuming that every Cabricharme product is included.
What Symptoms Can an Egg Allergy Cause?
Food-allergy symptoms can begin within minutes or emerge over the next few hours. Possible signs include hives, swelling, itching, vomiting, abdominal pain, coughing, wheezing, throat tightness or difficulty breathing. A severe reaction may cause anaphylaxis, a medical emergency involving breathing problems, a sudden drop in blood pressure or symptoms affecting multiple body systems.
Anyone with signs of anaphylaxis should use prescribed epinephrine immediately and seek emergency medical care. Antihistamines may help some mild symptoms, but they do not replace epinephrine for anaphylaxis. People with a known egg allergy should follow their individualized emergency plan and carry their epinephrine auto-injectors when prescribed.
What Should Consumers Do With Recalled Cheese?
Consumers should compare the product name, packaging and identifying information with the official recall notice. Anyone with an egg allergy should avoid tasting the cheese to determine whether it is affected. The product should be returned according to the retailer's instructions or discarded in a way that prevents accidental consumption by another household member.
After handling an affected product, consumers can clean utensils, storage containers and food-contact surfaces with soap and water to reduce the chance of cross-contact. A person who ate the cheese but has no symptoms should follow advice from their clinician or allergy care plan; symptoms such as breathing difficulty, throat swelling, faintness or widespread hives require urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is primarily a concern for people with an egg allergy because their immune system may react to the egg-derived protein. People without an egg allergy are not expected to have an allergic reaction solely because lysozyme is present.
No. Heating cannot be relied upon to remove the allergy risk, and affected cheese should not be eaten by someone with an egg allergy.
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for suspected anaphylaxis. Use it promptly according to the prescribed emergency plan, call emergency services and seek medical evaluation because symptoms can recur.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Whole Foods Market Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in Cabricharme Cheese.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergies.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Food Allergies.