Apna Wholesale Inc. is recalling its seven and 14-ounce “Paras Premium Golden Raisins” due to the presence of undeclared sulphur dioxide, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday.
Newsweek reached out to Apna Wholesale Inc. via phone on Wednesday for comment.
Why It Matters
The FDA warns that people who have a sensitivity or allergy to sulfites and then eat the recalled raisins may experience a severe or life-threatening reaction.
Food allergies impact millions of Americans, the FDA says. The nine “major” food allergens in the U.S. are milk, eggs, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame.
What To Know
The recalled raisins were distributed to Apna Bazar Farmers Market stores in New York and Massachusetts. The raisins are in clear packaging with UPC numbers 818051014811 and 818051014828. The FDA said there have been no reported illnesses as of Wednesday.
The FDA alert includes pictures of the recalled product for customers to reference. Apna Wholesale Inc. announced the recall on January 7, 2025.
The undeclared sulfites were discovered after a “routine sampling” by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food inspectors. After the sampling, Food Laboratory personnel analyzed the raisins and discovered the sulfites.
Tim Boyle/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
The FDA, in its recall: “The consumption of 10 milligrams of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe reactions in some asthmatics. Anaphylactic shock could occur in certain sulfite sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites. Analysis of the ‘Paras Premium Golden Raisins’ revealed they contained 56.8 milligrams per serving.”
The FDA, on its website, regarding food allergies: “While most symptoms from food allergies are mild and limited to skin or digestive discomfort, some may progress to a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can lead to:
- constricted airways in the lungs
- severe lowering of blood pressure and shock (“anaphylactic shock”)
- suffocation by swelling of the throat and larynx
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may start out as relatively mild but, if not treated promptly, symptoms can become life-threatening in a short amount of time.”
What Happens Next
Customers who purchased the recalled raisins are asked to return them where they were originally purchased for a full refund.
If customers have additional questions, they may reach Apna Wholesale Inc.’s customer support number at 516-807-4555.
