Undeclared whey protein was discovered in select World’s Choice Products, prompting the San Diego company to issue a food recall.
The following products (distributed throughout the U.S. through mail orders) are being recalled:
- Supreme Elixir drink (32 fluid ounce bottles); lots 15310, 15094, 15258, 16053 15483 and 16091 (look at the bottom of the bottle for lot numbers)
- Kid’s Juice drink (32 fluid ounce bottles); lots 15104 and 15326
- Xtreme Fiber Detox (1 pound and 8 ounce containers); lots 16051, 15174, 15423, 15372 and 15538
Product Photos: Source FDA
The recall was announced after the FDA discovered the products contained whey protein that wasn’t listed on the packages being distributed—the issue was allegedly the result of a temporary breakdown in the production and packaging process. According to the FDA website, production has been suspended.
Although no illnesses have been reported thus far, whey protein contains the allergens soy lecithin and milk, which can lead to life-threatening reactions to people who are allergic to these products.
Individuals who have allergies to cow’s milk react to at least one of the proteins in it. Whey contains 20% of milk’s proteins. So if an individual who is allergic to milk ingests the milk protein, the body sees it as a harmful invader. The immune system tries to hold off the invader, which can lead to histamine being released in the body and an allergic reaction.
The following reactions can occur:
- Difficulty breathing/wheezing
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hives, swelling or itchy eyes
- A drop in blood pressure
Milk allergies typically occur within a few minutes to hours after consuming something that contains milk protein.
Concerning the recalled World’s Choice Products—consumers who purchased these products are advised to return them for a full refund.
All inquiries can be directed to World’s Choice Products: 1-800-675-1845; Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. PST (11:00 a.m. ET) to 5:00 p.m. PST (8:00 p.s. ET).
Sources:
“World’s Choice Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk And Soy Lecithin From Whey Protein in “Supreme Elixir”, “Kids Juice” And “Xtreme Fiber Detox”,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration web site, April 28, 2016; http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm498242.htm.
Dixit, S. J., et al., “Study of human allergic milk whey protein from different mammalian species using computational method,” Bioinformation, 2012; 8(21): 1035–1041; published online 2012 Oct 31. doi: 10.6026/97320630081035; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3524881/, last accessed April 29, 2016.
“Milk allergy,” kidshealth.org, http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/milk-allergy.html, last accessed April 29, 2016.