Cumby's chicken caesar salad recalled over gluten goof

WASHINGTON - Chicken Casesar Salad sold at Cumberland Farms throughout New England are being recalled after they were sold as "gluten free" yet were found to include croutons containing wheat, a gluten allergen that was not listed.

In all, Missa Bay, LLC, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,719 pounds of chicken caesar salad products due to the misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on Tuesday.

The chicken caesar salad product was produced on Aug. 1. The following product is the subject of the recall:

• 9.95 oz. plastic salad bowls containing "Cumberland FARMS CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD with ROMAINE LETTUCE, ROASTED CHICKEN, PARMESAN CHEESE, BACON, MULTIGRAIN CROUTONS & CREAMY CAESAR DRESSING and bar code: 042704 034301, with a use by date of August 16, 2017.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number "P18502B" on the front of the product label. These items were shipped to Cumberland Farms retail locations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The problem was discovered when the establishment received notification from the sole retailer of the chicken products that the incorrect ingredient label was applied to the chicken caesar salad products. The ingredient label has a statement that the products were made without gluten containing ingredients, however, the Chicken Caesar Salad contains croutons made with wheat, and thus the wheat allergen was not declared on the label.

Cumberland Farms, the sole retailer, released a recall statement last Wednesday informing consumers of the product misbranding. FSIS is issuing its own press release.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.