Texas Consumer Alert: Campbell’s, Other Soups Recalled by USDA
(KPEL-FM) Texans might not want to admit it but one of our favorite foods is really a soup. You know that chili that we like? Technically you could say that's a soup. One major ingredient in Texas chili could be the reason for further health advisories and product recalls in the coming days.
And for those of you who want to argue "chili isn't a soup it's a stew or something else entirely" you need to just settle down. That particular subject isn't of major concern right now. Once we make sure every Texan is safe, then we'll debate that.
Is There a Recall on Soup?
The United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service has announced a public health alert after concerns were raised over several brands and varieties of soup and prepared bowl products. The public health alert issued by FSIS covers several major brands, including Campbell's, Molly's Kitchen, Sysco, and Verve brands.
While the current health alert isn't specifically focusing on Texas stores and retailers. The fact that an ingredient common to all of the recalled products is very popular in Texas cooking, there could be additional advisories issued that would prompt Texas retailers and Texas consumers to take precautions.
Why is Campbell's Soup Being Recalled?
The primary concern according to the press release from USDA centered around "foreign material" specifically wood included in products that contain cilantro. Cilantro, sometimes referred to as coriander is often used in recipes for its fresh and slightly citrus taste.
The herb has a bit of a love/hate relationship with consumers because in some people a genetic variation makes them more sensitive to the chemical makeup of the herb. That sensitivity to aldehydes can create a soapy flavor on the palates of those who have this genetic variation. So, if you're eating soup with cilantro and it tastes soapy, that's not on the manufacturer, that's more about your genetic code.
What Soup and Bowl Products Are Being Recalled?
The products involved in the public health advisory were listed by the USDA as:
Campbell’s Chicken Tortilla Soup
Campbell’s Soup Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup
Campbell’s Wicked Thai Soup
Health Request Mexican Chicken Tortilla
Life Cuisine Vital Pursuit Southwest Style Taco Bowl
Molly’s Kitchen Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup
Molly’s Kitchen Chicken Chili
Molly’s Kitchen Chicken Enchilada Soup
Molly’s Kitchen Mexican Chicken Tortilla
Sysco Chicken Tortilla Soup
Verve Spicy Chicken Nacho Soup
Verve Wicked Thai Soup
Crafted Market Coconut Chicken Thai Style Soup
And while there should be some concern for Louisiana shoppers and families that might have these products in their homes, the focus of this recall is on retailers and restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. And the reason we are bringing it to your attention is the FSIS and the USDA say that other products could be added to the list we've reported above.
What Do I Do If I Have a Recalled Product?
If you'd like to see a list of products that are included in this public health advisory, you can find that here. In the meantime, if you find you have some of the affected products in your home you are asked to return that product to the point of purchase or you can just discard them. Returning the product to a local store would improve your chances of a refund or replacement product.
