FDA Discovers Time Machine and Issues Recall Three Weeks Ago for Koala’s March Cookies

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FDA Discovers Time Machine and Issues Recall Three Weeks Ago for Koala’s March Cookies

Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Food & Water Watch Executive Director

“Three weeks after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall notice for the melamine-contaminated product Koala’s March cookies that had been imported from China, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally issued a nationwide recall of Koala's March brand cookies here in the United States.  Unfortunately, the agency’s action is too little, too late and proves once again that consumers cannot trust FDA’s credibility when it comes to food safety.

“According to the FDA press release issued on Friday, October 17th, the importer–Lotte USA, Inc., based in Battle Creek, Michigan– initiated a recall of the product on September 29th, 2008 because they ‘may be contaminated with melamine’.  This statement is completely false, as at that time the only recall issued on the product was in Canada. More importantly, Food & Water Watch had both verbal and written confirmation from FDA that the Koala’s March cookies sold here in the U.S. were safe, despite finding evidence in California, Alabama and Connecticut that cookies tested were found to have melamine levels exceeding FDA’s own ‘safe’ levels of exposure.  Up to October 17th, FDA would only acknowledge that it was assisting Lotte USA, Inc. with removing the suspect cookies from market shelves, but it was reluctant to issue a recall notice informing consumers that might have still had the products in their possession to return the products for refunds.  The fact that the contaminated cookies are still being found in markets indicates to us that even the meager action taken by FDA earlier this month has been a failure.

“FDA should be faulted for the misinformation that is being circulated to consumers, and accept responsibility for their flawed decision to delay issuing a recall notice while putting Americans, especially children, in danger.”

Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights organization based in Washington, D.C. that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources. Visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org.