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Consumer Alert - Dried Red Potato Strips

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:  Pete Gregg, Spokesman			
          (518) 457-3136
          pgregg@nysnet.net

For Immediate Release

New York - April 7, 2000 - State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers today issued a consumer alert to consumers who are sensitive to sulfiting agents. Dried Red Potato Strips, imported from China and distributed by YBL Worldwide Trading Inc., 651A Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211, were sampled and found to contain undeclared sulfur dioxide.

The Department's Division of Food Safety and Inspection sampled and tested the product revealing high levels of undeclared sulfur dioxide. The product is marketed in the Metropolitan New York City area, is uncoded and is packaged in 6 oz. plastic bags with both English and Chinese labeling information.

The consumption of 10 milligrams or more of sulfites per serving has been reported to elicit severe allergic reactions in some asthmatics. Life threatening anaphylactic shock can occur in certain sulfite-sensitive individuals upon ingesting 10 milligrams or more of sulfites. Analysis of the Dried Red Potato Strips revealed that they contained 21.8 milligrams per serving.

Consumers who have 6 oz. packages of Dried Red Potato Strips can return the product to the point of purchase.

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