From comfort food to caution tape: Nationwide recall prompts urgent check of household freezers

It started as a cozy craving—something warm, familiar, and easy to prepare. But now, that comfort food might come with a side of concern.

A sweeping nationwide recall has turned a beloved freezer staple into a potential health hazard, prompting families across the country to double-check what’s tucked behind the frozen favorite.

Whether you're stocking up for busy weeknights or sharing meals with loved ones, this alert is a reminder that even the most ordinary foods can carry unexpected risks.

So before you reach for that next bite, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s chilling in your freezer.

The products at the center of the storm​

More than 4,000 pounds of frozen chicken and beef croquettes from the Saint Coxinha range have been pulled from shelves after sesame, an undeclared allergen, was discovered in the products.

The recall, issued by Brazilian Taste, was triggered after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to a labeling oversight.

The issue stemmed from shared breadcrumb ingredients used across multiple products at the facility, some of which included sesame that wasn’t disclosed on the final labels. This undeclared allergen poses a serious risk to individuals with sesame allergies and has prompted a nationwide warning.

Here's what to look for if you've been shopping online for frozen foods:

Recalled products to avoid

• 17.63-ounce packages: “SAINT COXINHA XL CHICKEN CROQUETTES” (Best-by dates: November 4, 2025 to April 19, 2026)
• 15.8-ounce packages: “SAINT COXINHA CHICKEN CROQUETTES” (Best-best-by dates: November 4, 2025 to April 19, 2026)
• 13.7-ounce packages: “SAINT COXINHA GROUND BEEF CROQUETTE RISOLE DE CARNE” (Best-by date: February 2, 2026)
• All packages display establishment number “P-45640” or “Est. 45640”

The affected products reached store shelves in six states—Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas—and were also made available to consumers across the country through online retailers.

If you have these products​

Consumers who have these recalled items at home are strongly advised not to eat them. Instead, they should safely discard the products or bring them back to the store where they were purchased.

While no allergic reactions or illnesses have been officially reported so far, anyone experiencing symptoms or concerned about exposure should reach out to a healthcare professional for guidance.

If you have questions or concerns related to the recall, Brazilian Taste encourages consumers to reach out directly.

You can contact Barbara Bueno, the company’s manager, by phone at 404-538-5366 or via email at [email protected] for more information.

Why sesame matters more than you might think​

“Sesame is the ninth most common food allergy among children and adults in the US.”—Food Allergy Research & Education

As of January 1, 2023, sesame officially joined the list of major allergens that must be clearly labeled on packaged foods in the United States.

This regulatory update marked a significant step forward for allergy transparency, but it also came with a catch. Products made before the rule took effect may still be circulating in stores, meaning some items could lack proper sesame disclosures despite being on shelves today.

Roughly 0.23% of Americans have a clinically confirmed IgE-mediated sesame allergy, and about 0.5% of both children and adults are affected in some form.

Unlike milk or egg allergies, which many children outgrow, sesame tends to stick around, only 20 to 30% of those diagnosed develop tolerance over time.

This persistence makes sesame a particularly tricky allergen, especially when it’s hidden or undeclared in packaged foods.

What’s in your freezer? A quick scan could prevent a serious reaction. Image Source: Unsplash/ nrd

The bigger picture​

This recall sheds light on just how complex and intertwined today’s food production systems have become.

The issue surfaced when the FDA informed FSIS that breadcrumb ingredients were being used across multiple product lines governed by different regulatory standards—a layered setup that reflects the intricacies of modern manufacturing.

In an era where shared facilities and cross-category ingredients are the norm, even a small oversight can ripple across the supply chain in ways that would’ve been unlikely in decades past.

For seniors managing multiple health conditions, food allergies add another layer of complexity to daily life. This recall reminds us that vigilance in food shopping isn't just about price and quality—it's about safety too.

Whether you're buying products at the shops or ordering specialty items online, the principles remain the same: read labels carefully, stay informed about recalls, and don't hesitate to ask questions when something isn't clear.

Key Takeaways

• Over 4,000 pounds of frozen croquettes recalled due to undeclared sesame, a major allergen.
• Sesame was hidden in shared breadcrumb ingredients, not listed on product labels.
• Affected products were sold in six states and distributed nationwide through online retailers.
• No illnesses have been reported, and regulators acted swiftly after the FDA flagged the issue.
• Sesame allergy affects up to 0.5% of Americans, and unlike some childhood allergies, it often persists into adulthood.
• Sesame became a mandatory label allergen in the US in 2023, but older products may still lack proper warnings.

Have you ever encountered an unlabeled allergen in a food product? What strategies do you use to stay safe when trying new foods or shopping online? We'd love to hear your experiences and tips in the comments below.