We haven't seen a case quite like this before—here are the details to know.
When you think of items that get artificial sweetener, the first products that come to mind are likely coffee, diet soda, or reduced-calorie snack foods.
A wholesome food like nuts might seem an unusual place, but that’s what has prompted a recall on three varieties of peanuts. On April 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported the “Products contain cyclamates (banned sweetener).” Sources suggest this type of sweetener was banned in 1970, and some research has suggested a link to health complications such as bladder tumors.
The New York City-based recalling firm is Super World Trading Inc. in Brooklyn, which appears to be the distributor of the three recalled peanut products, all reportedly in 9.17-ounce containers:
- MEI HEONG YUEN TANGERINE FLAVOR ROASTED PEANUTS
- MEI HEONG YUEN WALNUT FLAVOR ROASTED PEANUTS
- MEI HEONG YUEN GARLIC FLAVOR ROASTED PEANUT
More product details, including UPC and expiration dates, are included at the above FDA link.
The affected peanuts were reportedly distributed to a total of 19 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
All three products list peanuts, salt, sugar, “liquorice” (possibly licorice), and sugar, while the “walnut flavor roasted” and tangerine varieties also lists “sodium cyclamate,” which indeed is banned in the United States. Saccharin and Acesulfame-K are also listed, but are not banned.
The FDA has given this a Class III risk level, which “is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” The recall was first initiated on February 26 and assigned with the risk level this week, on April 1.
Recent science has suggested that small amounts of unrefined natural sources of sugar, such as honey, can help fend off artificial sweetener-induced sugar cravings and may even help manage key aspects of health like immunity and cholesterol.
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