Mediterra S.A. Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Allergens In Mastihashop Brand Pies, Pasta, And Spreads

Contact:
Consumers/Media
212-253-0895 (Tuesday-Sunday)
0030-22710-51805 (Manufacturer)
www.mastihashop.com 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 11, 2012 - MEDITERRA S.A. of Chios Greece is recalling PIE WITH CHIOS MASTIHA 80g, HONEY PIE WITH ALMONDS 80g, HALVA PIE WITH CHIOS MASTIHA AND PEANUTS 80g, FIGS STUFFED WITH ALMONDS 360g , GREEK GARLIC SPREAD WITH ALMONDS 180g, HANDMADE TRAHANA PASTA WITH MASTIHA 340g, SMOKED EGGPLANT SPREAD WITH CHIOS MASTIHA 180g, and SPICY GARLIC SPREAD WITH CHIOS MASTIHA 180g, because they may contain undeclared allergens.

Specifically mastiha pie, honey pie and halva pie contain egg albumin, wheat flour and nuts (almonds). The handmade τraxana contains milk yogurt and wheat gluten. The figs contain nuts (almonds). The Greek garlic spread contains nuts (almonds) and wheat bread. The smoked eggplant contains nuts (pine nuts). The spicy garlic spread with mastiha contains wheat bread. People who have allergies to egg, milk, wheat, and/or nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

These products have been sold in the United States via internet sales through www.mastihashopny.com and from one retail store located at 145 Orchard St., New York, New York.

The mastiha pie, halva pie and honey pie are packaged in a plastic bag and wrapped in paper as secondary packaging. Mastiha pie is marked with LOT09120202 and best before end 12/30/2012. Honey pie is marked with LOT27111107 and best before end 06/30/2012. Halva pie is marked with LOT85111104 and best before end 06/25/2012.

The figs with almonds and handmade trahana are packaged in a plastic vacuum bag and a paper box as secondary packaging. Figs are marked with LOT16111115 and best before end 04/30/2012. The handmade trahana pasta is marked with LOT03101125 and best before end 04/30/2012.

The Greek garlic spread, smoked eggplant spread, and spicy garlic spread are packaged in a glass jar with a black lid. Greek garlic spread is marked with LOT03110916 and best before end 09/30/2012. Smoked eggplant is marked with LOT3111020 and best before end 04/30/2013. Spicy garlic spread is marked with LOT01110916 and best before end 09/30/2012.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the allergen-containing products were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of the allergens. Specifically we did not declare that albumin is egg albumin, yogurt is milk yogurt, white bread is wheat bread, as well as almonds and pine nuts are nuts.

MEDITERRA S.A. has printed and sent corrected labels for these products on 04/05/2012 and all products now properly declare all ingredients, including any allergens.

Consumers who have purchased any of these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the U.S. retail store at 212-253-0895 between 12:00pm and 7:00pm Eastern Time, Tuesday through Sunday or the manufacturer directly at 0030-22710-51805.

Consumers may visit our website at www.mastihashop.com for more information about Mediterra S.A.