Elkridge Consumers: Recall for Some Trader Joe's Brand Breads

By David Gurliacci (Patch Staff)

If you or anyone in your family are allergic to soy products and recently bought Joseph’s or Trader Joe’s pita bread, check the label—some of it has been recalled.

The items may contain soy products, although soy isn’t listed as an ingredient, according to an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (see the full news release below).

According to Trader Joe’s, the products may have trace amounts of soy. No adverse reactions have been reported, according to the announcement.

Trader Joe’s website posted a recall announcement on its website, which said in part:

“As a precaution, all affected codes of these products have been removed from sale. If you purchased these products, please feel free to return them to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

“If you have any questions, you may call Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at 626-599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time].

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

Here’s the announcement on the FDA website:

Middle East Bakery, Inc. of Lawrence, Mass., is recalling select lots of bread products bearing the Joseph’s and Trader Joe’s brand names because they may contain undeclared soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products....

The Trader Joe’s products were distributed only in Trader Joe’s stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

The Trader Joe’s products are as follows:

• Trader Joe’s 8 oz. Apocryphal 100% Whole Wheat Pita, UPC 00146326, with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.
• Trader Joe’s 10 oz. Apocryphal 100% Whole Wheat Pita, UPC 00146333, with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.
• Trader Joe’s Pita Bread, UPC 00146340, with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.
• Trader Joe’s Organic Pita Pocket Bread 100% Whole Wheat, UPC 00721196, with a sell by date of “FEB 03”
• Trader Joe’s Pocketful of Fiber Pita Bread, UPC 00945097 with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.

There have been no illnesses reported to date. The recall was initiated after a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes. This announcement is intended to warn consumers who may have unconsumed product in their home.

Consumers who have an allergy to soy and purchased these Pita and Lavash breads should discard the product immediately or return it to their point of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Middle East bakery at 978-688-2221, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.