A health and wellness company has voluntarily recalled certain lots of vitamin gummies due to the potential presence of undeclared peanuts.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on its website on June 13 that Vita Warehouse Corp. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Welby® brand Vitamin B12 Energy Support gummy product 1000 mcg 140 gummies, Berkely Jensen® Vitamin B12 1000 mcg 250 Gummies, and VitaGlobe™ Vitamin B12 Extra Strength 60 Gummies.
“People with an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the potential risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products,” the FDA alert states.
The company did not respond to requests for comment.
So far, the FDA stated that no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported and no other Welby®, Berkley Jensen®, or VitaGlobe™ brand items are being recalled at this time.
The supplements were distributed at ALDI and BJ’s retail stores nationwide and on Aldi.us, BJs.com, Vitaglobe.com and Amazon.com.
“This voluntary recall was initiated after the retailer, ALDI, conducted routine testing as part of their standard protocol to verify the accuracy of allergen-related claims made on their product labeling, specifically a “does not contain peanuts” statement,” the FDA said on its website. “One test result indicated a potential presence of a peanut allergen.”
Vita Warehouse Corp. has verified the absence of peanuts in the product, according to the FDA, but the recall was initiated out of an abundance of caution to ensure consumer safety and trust.
The lot code and expiration date are printed on the bottom of each bottle, which expires in 2026.
There are nine major food allergens that the FDA requires all companies to identify in their products. They include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
Recalls are a potential risk for any company involved in food production as well as many other industries, according to personal injury attorney Mike Agruss.
"These recalls can be extremely expensive due to the direct costs from refunds and logistics, not to mention possible long-term financial impacts from a tarnished reputation or legal costs in the event consumers are harmed from use or consumption," Agruss told NTD. "Voluntary recalls are proactive rather than reactive, and by staying ahead of the game, they reduce their legal risks as well as preserve their reputation."