Health authorities are alerting consumers regarding potentially hazardous Floria Dried Apricots distributed across nearly 20 U.S. states due to the presence of undeclared sulfites, which may lead to severe allergic reactions.
The FDA has advised individuals to refrain from consuming the apricots, manufactured by Turkana Food Inc., which have an expiration date set for November 2026.
Sulfites are frequently utilized as food preservatives; however, they can provoke symptoms such as hives, swelling, abdominal discomfort, and even life-threatening reactions, particularly among individuals with asthma.
Although FDA regulations mandate the labeling of sulfite content when concentrations exceed 10 parts per million, a routine examination conducted by New York’s agriculture department uncovered that Turkana’s apricots were missing this essential labeling. The affected products, available in states including New York, California, Texas, and Florida, bear a LOT number of 440090478-15-333 and a UPC of 2539560010.
While no illnesses have been reported to date, the FDA is recommending that consumers return the product for a refund. Turkana Food Inc. has yet to provide a statement regarding the recall. It is estimated that sulfite sensitivity impacts approximately 13 million Americans, particularly those with asthma, with symptoms typically manifesting after the ingestion of the additive. The FDA prohibited sulfites in fresh fruits and vegetables in 1986 due to allergy concerns; however, they are still allowed in processed foods as long as they are properly disclosed. This warning comes in the wake of a recent recall involving Texas Pete’s hot sauce, where Sriracha sauce containing sulfites was inadvertently bottled without appropriate labeling, once again posing a risk to those with allergies.