KIND Healthy Snacks Issues Voluntary Recall

NEW YORK -- KIND Healthy Snacks is voluntarily recalling some snack items over peanut allergy concerns.

The action involves STRONG & KIND bars as well as KIND Healthy Grains Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt bars. Contrary to KIND's strict quality specifications, its supplier roasted pumpkin seeds using equipment that had also been used to roast peanuts, the company said.

"While we know our supplier conducted rigorous allergen cleans before roasting the seeds, they did not perform tests to validate that no peanut particles remained, and KIND takes no chances when it comes to the safety of our consumers," said John Leahy, president of KIND. 

The five STRONG & KIND bars that are affected by the recall are: Roasted Jalapeno, Honey Smoked BBQ, Thai Sweet Chili, Honey Mustard and Hickory Smoked. In addition, KIND Healthy Grains Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt bars are also clearly labeled, the company added.

"Even though only certain lot codes may have been affected, out of an abundance of caution, and to minimize any inconvenience for our consumers and retail customers, we are voluntarily recalling all of the supply of these six products currently in the marketplace," Leahy explained.   

The six bars were distributed nationally in supermarkets and other retail food and non-food outlets.  

No allergic reactions to any of the bars have been reported to date, and no other KIND products are affected. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration.