Woodbury, Bethany Consumers: Recall for Some Joseph's and Trader Joe's Brand Breads

If you or anyone in your family are allergic to soy products and recently bought Joseph’s or Trader Joe’s pita bread, check the label — some of it has been recalled.

The items, baked by Middle East Products of Lawrence, MA, may contain soy products, although soy isn’t listed as an ingredient, according to an announcement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website (see the full news release below). According to the Trader Joe’s website, the products may have trace amounts of soy.

The Joseph’s brand products were sold at Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Hannaford and Big Y stores in the Northeast.

No adverse reactions have been reported, according to the announcement.

Trader Joe’s website posted a recall announcement on its website, which said in part:

“As a precaution, all affected codes of these products have been removed from sale. If you purchased these products, please feel free to return them to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

“If you have any questions, you may call Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Pacific Time].

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”

Here’s the announcement on the FDA website:

Middle East Bakery, Inc. of Lawrence, Massachusetts is recalling select lots of bread products bearing the Joseph’s and Trader Joe’s brand names because they may contain undeclared soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The Joseph’s brand name products were distributed in markets in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and in the following stores: Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Hannaford and Big Y.

The Joseph’s products are as follows:

• Joseph’s Mini Whole Wheat Pita, UPC 074117000413, with a sell by date of February 5, 2015 printed on the plastic closure tab. Product is packaged in a plastic bag.
• Joseph’s Mini White Pita, UPC 074117000420, with a sell by date of February 5, 2015 printed on the plastic closure tab. Product is packaged in a plastic bag.
• Joseph’s White Lavash, UPC 074117000697, with a sell by date of February 17, 2015 printed on the front panel of the package. Product is packaged in a plastic zip top bag.

The Trader Joe’s products were distributed only in Trader Joe’s stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

The Trader Joe’s products are as follows:

• Trader Joe’s 8 oz. Apocryphal 100% Whole Wheat Pita, UPC 00146326, with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.
• Trader Joe’s 10 oz. Apocryphal 100% Whole Wheat Pita, UPC 00146333, with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.
• Trader Joe’s Pita Bread, UPC 00146340, with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.
• Trader Joe’s Organic Pita Pocket Bread 100% Whole Wheat, UPC 00721196, with a sell by date of “FEB 03”
• Trader Joe’s Pocketful of Fiber Pita Bread, UPC 00945097 with a sell by date of ”FEB 05” printed on the plastic closure tab.

There have been no illnesses reported to date. The recall was initiated after a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes. This announcement is intended to warn consumers who may have unconsumed product in their home.

Consumers who have an allergy to soy and purchased these Pita and Lavash breads should discard the product immediately or return it to their point of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions may contact Middle East bakery at (978) 688-2221, Monday through Friday 9:00 to 5:00 EST.