Plum Organics is Recalling its Little Crèmes Organic Rice Milk Snacks

Plum Organics is voluntarily recalling its Little Crèmes organic rice milk snacks line after it was found that the product has the potential to cause choking. The small, bite-sized snack pieces are made to soften in a child’s mouth in less than 20 seconds making them easy to swallow. Some pieces were found to take significantly longer than this, creating a potential choking hazard, particularly for babies and very young children.

The recall affects all Little Crèmes varieties:

• Super Purples (acai, blackberry & purple carrot),
• Super Reds (pomegranate, beet & berry), and
• Super Greens (kale, apple & sweet potato).

Item Number			Description			Selling Unit UPC			Case UPC			Best By Dates
1559			Baby Little Crèmes Sweet Potato Kale Apple -8ct			846675000330			846675001559			05AUG14 to BB 12AUG15
1542			Baby Little Crèmes Blackberry Acai - 8ct			846675000347			846675001542			05AUG14 to BB 12AUG15
1535			Baby Little Crèmes Beet Berry Pomegranate - 8ct			846675000323			846675001535			05AUG14 to BB 12AUG15

These products should not be consumed, and should be disposed of immediately.

The recalled products were shipped nationwide to grocery, mass, specialty and online retailers in the United States.

Plum is taking the necessary steps to remove all of this product from the marketplace after it received complaints from consumers, including reports of injuries. No other Plum Organics products are affected by this recall.

Plum Organics asks that people who have bought this product contact the company for reimbursement. People can call the Plum Organics Consumer Hotline 866-535-3774 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or send an email to info@plumorganics.com.

New Rules for Healthier Snacks in Schools

In June 2013, the USDA released its interim final rules for healthier snack foods in schools. The new guidelines  cover snacks and beverages sold in the “a la carte” line in the cafeteria, but it doesn't end there. They also cover vending machines, snack carts and school stores. There are allowances for class celebrations and a certain number of in-school fundraisers per year.                                            

Some of the rules:

1. Calories – USDA allows 200 calories per portion

2. Sodium – For the first two years of implementation, the sodium limit is 230 mg. For the

2016-17 school year, the USDA sodium limit will be reduced to 200 mg.

3.Snacks to be rich in whole grains, have real food as a first ingredient, and provide nutritional value.

4 Drinking water to be available to all students at no cost

.4. Other beverages – USDA sets a limit of 40 calories/8 oz. with a 12 oz. serving size limit.

5. Time of day – USDA guidelines are in effect from midnight until 30 minutes after the end of the official school day.

6. Fundraisers – USDA allows infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers during the school day that do not meet the guidelines. State agencies will be allowed to set the frequency of fundraising The Alliance guidelines cover all in-school fundraisers.

There will be a ninety day period where the public can comment on the rules before they can take effect. You can bet some food companies will be lobbying to get these rules changed. Hopefully the USDA will continue to consider childrens health over corporate profits.

In other news -

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has just released a report recommending that USDA ease off on restricting the amount of meat and grains allowed in the school meal standards that went into effect this year.  Apparently, USDA agrees. GAO reports are usually requested by members of Congress.  Rep. Kristi Noem joined House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Representative Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) in requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the new school lunch standards that are being implemented for the first time this year. It would be nice if congress wasn’t being run by big business and was more interested in the health of our children.