DISTRIBUTOR ISSUES ALLERGY ALERT ON UNDECLARED SULFITES IN NEWFOODS BRAND MACAPUNO STRINGS AND NEWFOODS BRAND SWEET SUGAR PALM

Contact:  Raymond J. Sherbill, Esq.
          301-913-5770 ext. 106
                

For Immediate Release

Distributor Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sulfites in Newfoods Brand Macapuno Strings and Newfoods Brand Sweet Sugar Palm

Columbia, MD, July 27, 2001- Eastland Food Corporation of Columbia, Maryland, a distributor of Asian foods in the eastern United States, is immediately recalling 12 ounce jars of NEWFOODS BRAND MACAPUNO STRINGS and NEWFOODS BRAND SWEET SUGAR PALM because government testing indicates they may contain excessive levels of sulfites which are not listed on the product labels. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled NEWFOODS BRAND MACAPUNO STRINGS and NEWFOODS BRAND SWEET SUGAR PALM were distributed by Eastland Food Corporation throughout the eastern United States primarily to supermarkets and grocery stores which sell Asian food products.

Both products come in 12 ounce, clear glass jars with white metal tops. Macapunos are a type of coconut found mainly in the Philippines. Macapuno strings from the coconut are used in a variety of desserts. Sweet Sugar Palm is a type of Asian fruit eaten primarily as a dessert.

There have been no reports of illness to date in connection with this problem. Nevertheless, Eastland Food Corporation, one of the product's distributors, has acted to immediately recall all of the product it has distributed to stores.

The recall was initiated after a government testing authority notified Eastland Food Corporation, one of the distributors of NEWFOODS BRAND MACAPUNO STRINGS, that the product it tested contained 10.9 milligrams of sulfites per serving. According to health authorities, sulfites in excess of 10 milligrams per serving pose a severe hazard to sulfite sensitive individuals and can be life threatening to these individuals. The testing also indicated that NEWFOODS BRAND SWEET SUGAR PALM contained 7.7 milligrams of sulfites per serving.

NEWFOODS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, the Philippines based manufacturer of dessert products, has joined in this recall but has not confirmed the results of the government testing.

Consumers who have purchased 12 ounce jars of these products are urged to return them to the store from which they were purchased. Since the product may also have been distributed by other wholesalers, Eastland Food Corporation, cannot assure refunds on all returns. Consumers with questions may contact the distributor at the following toll-free number: 1-800-645-0769.

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