Dried sweet potatoes due to for allergy risk

Thursday, October 7th 2004, 11:04 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Rhee Bros. Inc. is recalling Assi brand dried sweet potatoes due to the discovery of undeclared sulfites, the Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday. People with extreme sensitivity to sulfites could suffer severe to life- threatening reactions if they consume food containing the allergen.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall applies to 1 lb. packages of Assi dried sweet potatoes carrying the item number 09870C that were distributed to 26 states. The product had been sold in retail stores in these states: Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

The national recall was prompted by a sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets that discovered sulfites in a product whose label did not disclose the allergen's presence. Rhee Bros., based in Columbia, Md., has suspended wholesale distribution of the dried sweet potatoes until labels are corrected.

Consumers can return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. People with questions may call the company at 410-381-9000.