Market of Choice recalls salad for undeclared sesame in Eugene stores

Market of Choice has recalled its 9.5-ounce Vegan Kale Caesar Salad after finding sesame in the product but not on the label, a serious problem for anyone with a sesame allergy. If one is in your fridge, do not eat it. Return it for a full refund or throw it away.

The affected salads came in clear plastic clamshell containers with expiration dates from April 20 through May 8 and UPC code 0 2100126 01099 3. They were sold between April 16 and May 4 at Market of Choice stores in Eugene and other Oregon cities, including Ashland, Bend, Corvallis, Hillsboro, Medford, Portland and West Linn.

Sesame matters because federal rules treat it as a major allergen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires sesame to be disclosed on packaged foods, a standard that has been in place since January 1, 2023 under the FASTER Act. That makes an undeclared sesame ingredient more than a simple labeling slip; it is a food-safety issue that can put allergic shoppers at risk.

Even people outside the allergy community should treat this seriously. Food allergies can trigger rapid and severe reactions, and sesame is now recognized as one of the major food allergens in the United States. If someone in a household has a sesame allergy or sensitivity, the safest move is to clear out any matching salad immediately and avoid tasting it to check.

Market of Choice said it found the problem during an internal review and has removed the product from stores. The company said no illnesses had been reported and that no other Market of Choice products are affected. The recall was being carried out with the knowledge of the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall carries local weight in Lane County because Market of Choice is a familiar Eugene grocery stop and the salads were sold in Oregon stores only. Market of Choice describes itself as a family-owned Oregon grocer with locations in Eugene, Corvallis, Portland, Hillsboro, Bend, Ashland and Medford, so the check belongs in kitchens across the chain’s Oregon footprint, especially among shoppers who buy prepared foods.