Health alert issued for Whole Foods meatballs over undeclared allergen

A public health alert has been issued for meatballs sold at Whole Foods Market, Inc., due to an undeclared allergen.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) said the beef meatballs with marinara sauce were misbranded and failed to state that they contained parmesan cheese made from milk.

FSIS said a recall wasn’t requested because the affected products aren’t believed to be available any more.

The alert pertains to a 24-oz. clear container of meatballs with a PLU code of 39496 and sell-by dates through Feb. 27.

According to FSIS, the product was sold at Whole Foods locations in Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Anyone with food allergies who bought the product is urged to not eat them and, instead, return them to Whole Foods or throw them away.

Consumers with safety questions can call the USDA Meat and Poultry hotline at 1-888-674-6854.