Peanut contamination of imported crumbed fish and seafood products

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has advised Australians with peanut allergies not to eat imported crumbed fish and crumbed seafood products that could be contaminated with undeclared peanuts.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said there had been six reported cases of reactions from allergic consumers to different crumbed fish and crumbed seafood products.

However, McCutcheon said the products do not pose a safety risk for people who do not have a peanut allergy.

Six similar products were recalled in January 2011 due to the presence of peanuts - a major allergen - which wasn’t declared on the label. The products are:

• Coles Frozen Crumbed Lemon Flavoured Fish Fillets, recalled on 5 January 2011.
• Woolworths Home Brand Lemon Flavoured Crumbed Fish Frozen Portions sold in NSW, ACT and Queensland, recalled on 17 January 2011.
• Three frozen crumbed seafood products, distributed Australia-wide by I&J to distribution centres, and then on to major supermarkets including Woolworths/Safeway, Coles, Bi-Lo, Metcash and IGA, Pick’n’Pay (Qld only) and Franklins (NSW only), recalled on 25 January 2011.
• Coles Crumbed Black Oreodory Fillets in Light Crispy Breadcrumbs, recalled on 29 January 2011.

The source of the peanuts has been traced to soy flour manufactured in China. FSANZ has been advised that since the discovery of the contamination, the distributor is no longer using the soy flour from the manufacturer responsible.

FSANZ is working closely with retailers, manufacturers, importers and overseas food regulators to identify if any other products may be affected. However, investigations to date have not uncovered any further contamination in other products.

Anaphylaxis Australia has important advice on its website for anyone with allergies including always reporting any reaction to health authorities and ensuring they are carrying emergency medications such as an EpiPen or Anapen, www.allergyfacts.org.au.