Undeclared Ingredient in Recalled Raisins Can Trigger Fatal Reactions, FDA Warns

A Recall advisory of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows that Americans using the packaged golden raisins could suffer with dangerous health consequences that could even lead to death.

The FDA advised allergic and sulfite-sensitive people not to consume Terrafina Golden Raisins as this product can contain unlabeled food additives, particularly sulfite, that can pose life-threatening hazards to the consumers.

The unlabeled ingredients were found by New Jersey state inspectors who took samples of the product in routine inspection, which prompted the product’s manufacturer, Sunco & Frenchie LLC of Pine Brook, to recall the product.

The FDA urged Americans already in possession of the Terrafina Brand Golden Raisins not to use these products and get a full refund from the point of their purchase. The product was primarily sold across New York State.

Normal raisins that are dark in color are free from sulfites, but golden and other light-colored raisins are processed with sulfites to avoid the darkening of colors. Sulfites are used as a preservative to maintain the golden hue and prevent the natural enzymatic browning that occurs when the grapes are exposed to air.

Since there are no restrictions on the color of dark raisins, they are allowed to dry naturally in the sun or through other methods, which leads to the darkening of their color due to oxidation. However, this is not the case with golden raisins, as they cannot be processed naturally for color constraints.

Some other commodities that contain natural sulfite include eggs, maple syrup, wine, tomatoes, and onions.

While most people are safe to consume small amounts of sulfite, it is particularly troubling for those suffering from allergies or any other major medical complication. After consuming sulfites, these people are prone to run into anaphylaxis, which is an allergic reaction that the body can develop within minutes of consuming the allergic substance. It is extremely life-threatening and requires professional medical care immediately.

Some common symptoms of anaphylaxis include skin reactions such as hives, flushing, and swelling, particularly around the face, lips, tongue, and throat. This allergy can be accompanied by intense itching and respiratory symptoms, including difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and swelling of the throat, which can lead to hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.

Additionally, gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can also strike the impacted patient. Heart health is also at risk by this condition as it can result in weak pulse, a significant drop in blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting.

Some extreme patients have also reported developing neurological signs such as confusion, a sense of impending doom, or loss of consciousness.

Consuming large quantities of sulfites can also trigger asthma, and even non-asthmatic individuals can experience respiratory issues like shortness of breath and chest tightness.