Bagel Recall Update as FDA Sets Concern Level

Variety of New York-style bagels with seeds in a paper bag. An earlier recall of two types of gluten-free mini bagels by Feel Good Foods has now been classified by the FDA as Class II.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now classified an earlier, voluntary recall by New-York based company Feel Good Foods Inc as Class II, This means that the consumption of the affected product could cause some adverse health consequences.

Feel Good Foods, founded by a restaurateur and chef specializing in gluten-free products, initiated a voluntary recall of some of its cream cheese stuffed everything mini bagels and cream cheese stuffed plain mini bagels on April 10 over a possible gluten contamination.

While the recalls of the two products were started by the company over two months ago, the FDA has classified both of them as Class II recalls as of June 27. The agency can classify a food and soft drink recall as either Class I, Class II or Class II. Class I indicates the most severe type of recall, where the consumption or exposure to the affected product can cause "serious adverse health consequences or death."

A Class II recall is given when consumption of the affected products carries the risk of causing "temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences" and "where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote." A Class III recall is the mildest and is used to indicate that exposure to an affected food product or its consumption is unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.

The recall of the Feel Good Foods' mini bagels is completed, according to the information provided by the FDA, though a date of termination is not provided. Newsweek contacted Feel Good Foods via Konnect Agency for comment by email early on Monday.

The products affected were 9,172 cases of Everything Mini Bagels with best-by dates ranging from May 29, 2024 to September 17, 2025 (an 18-month shelf life), identifiable with the universal product code 89903900286; and 4,550 cases of Plain Mini Bagel with Best By Dates ranging from May 29, 2024 to September 17, 2025, identifiable with the universal product code 89903900283.

Both types of products contained undeclared gluten. An initial news release for the products was issued by the FDA on April 12. People who had purchased the products and had an allergy to gluten or sensitivity to wheat or gluten were invited to dispose of the products. The retailer offered a full refund to customers affected.

"Once we were made aware of trace amounts of gluten cross-contamination to Feel Good Foods' Gluten-Free Plain and Everything flavored Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Bagels, we contacted the FDA and took swift action to voluntarily recall the impacted product," said Vanessa Phillips, founder of Feel Good Foods, in the news release from April. "As a founder who is personally affected by celiac disease, ensuring the integrity and safety of our gluten-free products is of the utmost importance. We take the health and safety of our consumers extremely seriously."

No other products by Feel Good Foods were affected.

Celiacs and individuals who suffer from a wheat allergy can feel sick when consuming products with gluten. Common symptoms include hives, rash, nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea. In the most-severe cases, it can cause anaphylaxis.

For celiacs, consequences can be even more dire: their immune systems react to gluten with a response that, over time, can damage the stomach lining and prevent it from absorbing nutrients.

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