Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Recall Alert

Attention: 
Please forward the following information to your Environmental Public Health Specialist as soon as possible.

To:             All Local Health Agencies
From:        Russell Lilly, Food Processing Program Manager
Date:         October 1, 2010
Subject:    Hostess mini muffins – undeclared allergen

The company has verified that the product was distributed in Missouri.  Please assure that retail food establishments in your jurisdiction are aware of the recall and have removed the product from distribution.

Hostess Brands, Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Hostess® Mini Muffins (Chocolate Chip variety) Due to Unlabeled Allergen

Contact:
Becky Madeira (972) 532-4533 (o) or (214) 693-3795 (cell)
Steven Alschuler (212) 575-4545 (o) or (917) 647-2151 (cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 30, 2010 - Irving, TX - Hostess Brands, Inc. of Irving, Texas, is voluntarily recalling Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins multi-packs sold in retail stores throughout the United States with the knowledge of the FDA. Some of these multi-packs may contain muffins with undeclared walnuts, which is an allergen. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to walnuts run the risk of serious illness or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The Product being recalled is:

Hostess® Mini Muffins (Chocolate Chip variety)
4 Packs of 5 muffins each
Net Wt 8 oz. (227 g)
UPC 45000-60703
Stamped code of "Best By: OCT 31 $7.98/lb $3.99" printed below will be
"62 259" followed by a capital letter, a time stamp and then "1029"

To date, no incidents of illness have been reported. People who do not have walnut allergies can eat the product without concern. The packaging does contain an allergen advisory statement: "May contain walnuts."

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that during manufacturing some Banana Nut Mini Muffins were inadvertently inserted into the Chocolate Chip Mini Muffin packaging. Normally, Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins do not contain walnuts. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by operator error in the packaging process.

This error was limited to one day’s production, and no other HOSTESS® products are part of this recall.

Consumers who purchased these Mini Muffins who wish to return them should return them to the retailer for a refund or contact Hostess Brands' Consumer Affairs Office at 1-800-483-7253 (Monday –Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST) for a replacement coupon.