Hostess recalls snack cakes, doughnuts over peanut residue

KANSAS CITY, Mo. » Hostess Brands has voluntarily recalled various snack cakes and doughnuts over concerns they may have come in contact with peanut residue not included in the ingredient list.

The Kansas City, Missouri-based company’s recall announced Friday covers more than 700,000 cases of Ding Dongs, Zingers, Chocodiles and various doughnuts sold in grocery, dollar, drug and convenience stores in the U.S. and Mexico.

The recall covers single-serve products and multipack boxes.

Friday’s move is a result of a recall by supplier Grain Craft of certain lots of its flour for undeclared peanut residue, Hostess said in a statement.

Consumers are encouraged to destroy the recalled items or return them for a full refund.

Peanut allergies are among the most common food allergies, with trace amounts of peanuts able to cause an adverse reaction, according to the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education organization’s website.

The federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that all packaged, peanut-containing food products sold in the U.S. must list the word “peanut” on the label.

Hostess said the amount of peanut exposure from use of the questioned Grain Craft flours and affected products is considered low and not expected to cause adverse health effects in the vast majority of peanut-allergic consumers.

As of Friday, Hostess said it has received notice of two allergic reactions involving the recalled products, and that the recall was launched “out of an abundance of caution.”