Shakespeare's Pizza based in Columbia, Missouri, has said that it is recalling four lines of frozen pizzas as they contain wheat. Its presence was not stated on the packaging, meaning a customer with an allergy could suffer a "serious or life-threatening allergic reaction" while eating the product.
The announcement was made on December 7 and published on the website of the federal Food and Drug Administration the following day. In total, four 12-inch Shakespeare's Pizza products are being withdrawn, with the toppings 'extra cheese,' 'vegetarian,' 'four cheese' and 'spinach artichoke.'
The company said a "government regulatory agency" spotted the missing wheat labeling, though it did not say which one, and added that "no illnesses have been reported to date." Newsweek has approached Shakespeare's Pizza requesting additional details via the online contact form on the company's official website.
In its statement, the company said it is "recalling all its frozen pizzas from grocery stores, as they contain wheat, but do not declare the presence of wheat on their labels." The statement added: "People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
"Our pizzas are distributed in grocery stores throughout Missouri, and in a small number of grocers in Kansas, in the Kansas City metro area.
"A routine inspection by our government regulatory agency partners brought to light the omission of a declaration on our labeling of the presence of wheat in our pizzas." the statement read.
A table provided by Shakespeare's Pizza listed the four toppings and listed the unique universal product code (UPC). These are 686 148 007 370 for extra cheese, 686 148 007 394 for vegetarian, 686 148 000 050 for four cheese and 686 148 000 043 for spinach artichoke.
The company said: "Any consumers who have dietary restrictions concerning wheat should not consume our pizzas. Consumers may return products to the point of purchase, or to Shakespeare's Pizza, for a refund."
The Cleveland Clinic, an academic medical center, says around 6 percent of the U.S. population is gluten intolerant, while 1 percent has celiac disease. This is a condition that causes the patient's immune system to attack its own tissues when they consume gluten.
The clinic adds that there is no cure for gluten intolerance, but says that most sufferers are able to manage their symptoms by following a gluten-free diet.
Also this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Inspection Service announced 1,377 pounds of pre-cooked grilled chicken breast produced by Wayne Farms LLC have been recalled over fears that the meat is undercooked.
The department has also recalled over 13,000 pounds of chicken fried rice produced by brand Freshness Guaranteed over concerns the food may be contaminated with listeria.
On Thursday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of 1,500 mattresses over fears they could catch fire.
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