Transcript ETM627-Recall MMs_Brett

Product Recall
 What: M&M’s Milk Chocolate Theater Box
 Recall Date: September 19, 2014
[1]
 Why: “Undeclared peanut/outer carton packaging is for milk chocolate; however may
contain peanut butter M&Ms.” [2]
 Incidents: Mars Chocolate North America has not received any reports of adverse
reactions to date. [1]
 Number of Units Sold: Doesn’t specify number, but does identify states distributed to:
NC, TX, MN, IL, FL, KY, MS, AZ, GA, AI, CA NJ, PA, WA NY, CO, MO, MI, NH, CT, TN,
MD, SC, OH, ME, VA, RI, WI, WV, IA, LA, OK, MA, NE, OK, AR, VT, ID and IN [1]
 When Distributed: May 8 – July 1, 2014 [1]
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Management Issues
 Recognition of Problem: The issue was identified by a consumer who notified the
company that “a M&M’S® Brand Peanut Butter package containing peanut butter
M&M’S® inside a M&M’S® Brand Milk Chocolate Theater Box.” There have been no
incidents of adverse reactions reported. [1]
 Speed of Response: The response was rather speedy. Recall was addressed in a timely
manner. The recall was issued in September, only a couple of months after distribution
had ended for the product.
 Responsibility: No article was found that showed Mars Chocolate North America
expressed any remorse for the mispackaging of the product. They did, however, say they
would “work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled product is not being sold.”
[4]
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Impact of Recall
 Legal Consequences: No lawsuits could be found against Mars Chocolate North
America due to the defect in packaging.
 Reputation: The incident seems have little or no effect on the reputation of Mars
Chocolate North America. The company took full responsibility by making a voluntary
recall on the product, which showed the company cared for their customers well-being.
 Sales: Mars Chocolate North America said that, “Consumers who believe they have
purchased the recalled item and have allergy concerns, should return this product to the
store where they purchased it for a full refund.” They also gave contact information for
consumers with questions or concerns. [4]
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Public Health
 Associated Risk: “People allergic to
peanuts run the risk of serious or lifethreatening allergic reaction if their
theater box contains an inner M&Ms
Brand Peanut Butter bag and they
consume the product, the company
said in a release.” Figures 1 & 2 show
the recalled product. [4]
 Allergies: “Peanut and tree nut
allergies, which also tend to develop
in childhood, usually are lifelong. In
the U.S., approximately three million
people report allergies to peanuts and
tree nuts. Studies show the number of
children living with peanut allergy
appears to have tripled between 1997
and 2008”.[5]
Figure 1. Outer Package [3]
Figure 2. Inner Package containing
peanut butter [3]
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References
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Mars Chocolate North America Issues
Allergy Alert Voluntary Recall On Undeclared Peanut Butter In M&M’s® Brand Milk
Chocolate Theater Box. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm415489.htm.
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). 2014 Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety
Alerts. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2014/default.htm?Page=3.
[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Mars Chocolate North America Issues
Allergy Alert Voluntary Recall On Undeclared Peanut Butter In M&M’s® Brand Milk
Chocolate Theater Box Photos. Retrieved from
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm415490.htm.
[4] NBC Bay Area. (2014, September 20). Mars Chocolate Issues Recall Over Undeclared Peanut
Butter. Retrieved from http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/MarsChocolate-MMS-Recall-Undeclared-Peanut-Butter-275890311.html.
[5] FARE Food Allergy Research and Education. Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from:
http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats.
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