Urgent recall of popular cheeseburgers that can trigger 'life-threatening allergic reaction'
Sheehan Brothers Vending, an Ohio-based catering business, recalled six of its staple meals after health officials detected sesame that was not noted on product labels earlier this month.
Cheeseburgers, Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, Italian Mini Subs, Pepperoni Pizza Subs, Chili Cheese Coneys and BBQ Riblets with Coleslaw were named in the recall.
Affected sandwiches were sold by the family business between July 2 and July 8 in 'micro markets' and vending machines across Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Eastern Indiana.
The ready-to-go meals are premade and only need to be reheated in the microwave for less than a minute.
All the items were individually wrapped in plastic and labeled with green and white stickers on the front.
The FDA classified the recall as a Class I health risk, which is the most dire type of recall.
'People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product,' the agency wrote.
'Individuals exhibiting signs or symptoms of foodborne illness or allergies should contact a physician immediately.'
Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported in connection to the undeclared allergen.
Anyone with a sesame allergy who bought the contaminated products should throw them out and contact Sheehan Brothers Vending for a replacement pack.
The family-owned business specializes in meeting the catering and vending needs of of office buildings.
According to the company website, its vending machines 'carry homemade and name-brand sandwiches, salads, entrees, snacks, and beverages that offer healthy alternatives for consumers.'
Sheehan Brothers also installs and runs micro markets, which are self-service shops and cafes in business and public spaces.
'We continually innovate to provide the most popular snacks, beverages, and homemade food items daily,' the company, founded in 1956, wrote.
About 33 million people living in the US have a food allergy, according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE).
Sesame is the ninth most common food allergy in the United States, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reported.
'When a person with an allergy to sesame is exposed to sesame, proteins in the sesame bind to specific IgE antibodies made by the person's immune system,' FARE wrote.
'This triggers the person's immune defenses, leading to reaction symptoms that can be mild or very severe.'
The FDA recognizes nine major allergens: milk, eggs, sesame, fish, tree nuts, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
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