This product has made recent headlines for sourcing concerns. Here's the specific region experts say are most affected by this recall.
It’s never been easier to find plant-based protein sources, now that the macronutrient is added to just about everything from yogurts and shakes to pasta and powders. That’s good news, given that many nutritional experts prefer plant protein over meat and dairy, thanks to its high fiber content and lower levels of saturated fat. However, a recent recall of one plant-based protein could spell trouble for health-conscious consumers in California. More than 42,000 bags of tofu were found to contain a potentially dangerous allergen in that state, which Forbes has called home to some of the best cities for vegetarians and vegans to live and eat well.
Last week the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) revealed a September 27 recall on 42,552 500-gram bags of G&L FOOD Dried Bean Curd due to undeclared wheat. Exposure could cause “serious or life-threatening allergic reactions” in people with wheat allergies or sensitivities, the notice states.
The tofu was made with sterilized soybeans, water, and magnesium chloride, a preservative. Some recipes also use a coagulant such as calcium sulfate to thicken it before pressing it into a block, the American Heart Association notes. The recalled tofu product may have also contained soy sauce: “The recall was initiated after feedback from an FDA inspection that the product’s label did not indicate wheat, a component of soy sauce, as an allergen,” the FDA notes.
The tofu was produced by Gansu Zhaofeng Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. in Gansu Province, China, and distributed by G&L PRODUCE INC., a San Francisco-based firm. The affected items were primarily sold in restaurants and retail stores in the Bay Area of Northern California, and their food-grade plastic bag packaging bears the following identifying information:
- UPC: 6976325560236
- Expiration Dates: October 25, 2025; June 11, 2026; June 20, 2026
“Symptoms of a wheat allergy reaction can range from mild, such as hives, to severe, such as anaphylaxis,” notes the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). “Allergic reactions can be unpredictable, and even very small amounts of wheat can cause one.”
In the recall advisory it was reported that no illnesses related to the finding had been reported to date.
If you purchased G&L FOOD dried bean curd marked with the relevant information, do not consume it, the FDA urges. Instead, “return the items to your purchase location for a full refund.”
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