Urgent health alert for ham croquettes in the US over allergy fears
An urgent health alert has been issued for frozen ham croquettes in the US due to misbranding and two undeclared allergens.
The alert went out on Croquetas La Mary LCC’s not-ready-to-eat ham croquettes on Monday after the company ‘used a different breadcrumb ingredient than normally used,’ according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
‘The product contains soy and sesame, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label,’ stated the FSIS, which ensures the nation’s supply of meat, poultry and eggs are safe and correctly packaged.
‘FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to soy and sesame are aware that this product should not be consumed.’
The agency discovered the issue while doing a routine check on labels at the company’s plant.
Affected items were produced in April and May of this year and had expiration dates of November and December 2025 and January 2026 printed on the boxes. They have the establishment number EST 2725.
They are 1.96-pound boxes with the printed description, ‘a taste of Cuba croquetas de jamón’. The croquettes are not fully cooked or shelf stable. The boxes each contain 30 units and images of the croquettes. They were distributed across Florida.
‘A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase,’ stated the FSIS.
The agency has advised customers to throw away the product or return it.
As of Monday, there were no reports of consumers becoming sick from the croquettes.
Anyone with health concerns related to eating the croquettes should consult a doctor.
Customers with questions should contact the company, which is based in Pembroke Park, Florida.
The alert comes a month after Hearthside Food Solutions LLC recalled nearly 500,000 pounds of its ready-to-eat frozen bacon and sausage breakfast sandwiches because the labels did not declare they contain sesame.
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