CLASS II VOLUNTARY RECALL – Maple Lodge Farms Original Chicken Wieners

On July 21,2022 MLF initiated a voluntary recall due to an undeclared allergen, pea protein, used as a temporary ingredient in some of our products. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive should not consume the recalled product, as doing so may cause a serious adverse reaction.

The affected products and lots are as follows:

Brand Name: Maple Lodge Farms

Product: Original Chicken Wieners

Container Size: 450 g

UPC: 0 67714 00001 6

Codes: From BBD 2022.JN.30 up to and including BBD 2022.SE.28

If you have any of the product listed above, please check the best before date (BBD) and confirm if it is among the affected lots. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. Do not consume recalled products to which you are allergic or sensitive as they may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction.

It is important to note that this situation was unique and it is not common practice to make substitutions to product formulations without declaring them on the ingredient list. However, as you are likely aware, over the past couple of years, as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, there have been massive supply chain disruptions resulting in the shortage of many items, including some ingredients in our products. Health Canada has acknowledged the challenges posed for the food industry by making provisions to allow temporary ingredient substitutions due to unforeseen supply chain issues without a change to the ingredient list, as long as potential risks are evaluated and mitigated.

In recent months, cornstarch, an ingredient in our wieners, has been in critically short supply necessitating, on short notice, the temporary substitution of a pea protein/starch blend. In alignment with Health Canada requirements, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was notified of this temporary change. Unfortunately, in a small percentage of people with peanut allergies, there can be cross-reactivity with other legumes such as peas, resulting in a potentially serious allergic reaction to pea protein in those individuals. Regrettably, this risk was not identified, as pea protein is not identified as a priority allergen in current regulation and, instead, is considered an “emerging” risk, as pea protein in various forms is being used more frequently in a variety of food products.

We apologize sincerely for any inconvenience or distress this undeclared substitution may have caused.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact our Customer Relations team at:

1-888-664-4444 or via email at customerrelations@maplelodgefarms.com.