The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on November 15 that Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based City Line Foods Manufacturing Co., a division of Auntie Anne’s, Inc., is recalling approximately 1,196,669 pounds of frozen pretzel hot dogs due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The products contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not specified on labels.
The pretzel dogs were produced on various dates from February 14 to November 14, 2014. The following products, packed under various brand names, are now being removed from the marketplace:
- Auntie Anne’s All Beef Classic Pretzel Dogs
- Auntie Anne’s Fundraising Pretzel Dogs
- West Creek Black Angus Beef Pretzel Dogs
- Kunzler Pretzel Dogs
- Kunzler Turkey Pretzel Dogs
- Berks All Beef Pretzel Franks
- Nathan’s Famous Pretzel Dogs
- City Line Foods Pretzel Dogs
The products, shipped nationwide for retail distribution and fundraising activities, bear the establishment number “EST. or P-34073” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The recall does not affect Auntie Anne’s pretzel stores operating in shopping malls, airports and other venues throughout the United States.
FSIS personnel discovered the problem during a routine labeling review. Inspectors found that a releasing agent used on contact surfaces during production included soy lecithin, which was not disclosed on labels.
Neither the FSIS nor City Line Foods Manufacturing Co. have received reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Persons with questions about the recall should contact Heather Neary, Auntie Anne’s Inc.’s chief marketing officer at, at +1 717-435-1558.
