Parsippany company recalls taco products

Parsippany-based B&G Foods, manufacturers of several brand-name grocery items, have announced a voluntary recall of certain Ortega-brand taco products due to the possibility of the presence of peanuts and almonds, allergens that are not declared on the products' ingredient statements.

There is no health risk associated with these products for individuals who do not have an allergy to peanuts or almonds, the company assured in a release on its website.

The recall, announced last week after the company consulted with the Food and Drug Administration, includes certain product lines including Ortega Taco Seasoning Mix, Ortega Taco Sauce, Ortega Enchilada Sauce and Ortega Taco Kit products and certain Las Palmas Taco Seasoning Mix and Las Palmas Taco Sauce products.

The company tied the recall to spice ingredients purchased from a third-party supplier that contain peanuts and almonds and are not declared on the products' ingredient statements. B&G terminated its relationship with that supplier and is receiving these ingredients from other sources in anticipation of resuming production shortly.

The recalled products were distributed in retail stores and food-service outlets across the United States. A detailed list of the recalled products is at http://www.ortega.com/recall/. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are instructed to return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers also may contact the company's recall hotline at 877-929-2576.

The recall does not apply to certain sizes or varieties of Ortega Seasoning Mix or to any Ortega Seasoning Mixes in canisters, all of which are correctly labeled. They include Ortega Fajita Seasoning Mix, Ortega Fish Taco Seasoning Mix, Ortega Chili Seasoning Mix, Ortega Chipotle Seasoning Mix or Ortega Burrito Seasoning Mix, all of which are correctly labeled. The recall also does not include any Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce, which is correctly labeled.

"The safety of our consumers is our number one priority," William Wright, B&G executive vice president of quality assurance and research and development.

B&G Foods and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute popular food brands including B&G pickles, B&M baked beans, Bear Creek Country Kitchens, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, Emeril's, Mrs. Dash, Underwood and Vermont Maid.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.

Ortega Recall: to view a detailed list of Ortega products on voluntary recall, visit http://www.ortega.com/recall/