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Discussion Boards => Traveling & Restaurants => Topic started by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:08:23 PM

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Title: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:08:23 PM
From up in recalls:

Peanut: Cumin Recall (The Big Thread)


Food chains that are definitely probable users of CUMIN--

(note that this does NOT NOT NOT mean that they have or will use the contaminated stuff, nor that they are in ANY way associated with the recall above-- it's just that TexMex casual is a staple for people with FA's and in particular with nut allergies and another food allergy)


Taco Bell

Chipotle

Qdoba

Baja Fresh

TacoTime

(I will be editing in additional links-- so give me some time, here)
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:10:13 PM
Quote from: starlight on January 10, 2015, 07:02:46 PM
In the Peanut Allergy and Anaphylaxis Awareness group on FB, someone wrote to Chipotle and Chipotle told them they use a different supplier that hasn't been affected by the recall.



{The above information is preliminary-- please verify for yourself!!}



http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/talk_to_us/general_comments/general_comments.aspx



Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:31:09 PM
Taco Bell specific information


http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredientstatement  (no cumin is specifically listed-- it's hidden under "spices" but you can be 1000% certain that it is there).




Please call 1-800-TACO BELL if you would like to speak directly to a customer service representative.


I'm guessing that they'll need to research it for you when you call.



Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:38:47 PM
Qdoba-specific information:

Regular allergen and ingredient listings:

http://www.qdoba.com/downloads/Qdoba_Allergen_Info.pdf

Again, no cumin spelled out-- but cumin WILL be there in "spice" or "flavorings."  Guarantee it.


http://www.qdoba.com/talk-to-us



Prefer Phone?

Guest Help and Feedback: 1-858-522-4571

or mail?

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL
7244 W. Bonfils Lane
Lakewood, CO 80226
Reception Desk: (720) 898-2300
Fax: (720) 898-2396


Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:43:58 PM
Baja Fresh-specific info:
http://www.bajafresh.com/



Customer Care

For general non-restaurant related comments or questions.
Phone: (877) 225-2373
Email: customercare@bajafresh.com



Baja Fresh® Home Office
320 Commerce, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92602
Tel:(949) 270-8900



Baja Fresh does not have any allergen-specific information on their website (and never has, as far as I recall-- we personally won't use them, but I'm putting their contact info here for others who do).


Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:48:49 PM
Taco Time-specific Information:

http://www.tacotime.com/about/contact_us/index.html





Allergen listings:

http://www.tacotime.com/assets/pdf/nutrition/TacoTime_Allergens.pdf

Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:51:39 PM
General Food Service Supplier information


(Might be able to look here to check for specific suppliers to a local school, university or workplace cafeteria):


http://www.foodservice.com/foodshow/companyresults.cfm?subcatid=963&ListingType=5

Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 10, 2015, 10:40:58 PM
Moe's would be another place to contact.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 11, 2015, 11:48:04 AM
I hope that others will PLEASE feel free to add contact info and/or any information that they learn when speaking to said contacts-- living in a corner of the world that has a paucity of some national chains-- this list is by no means exhaustive.

And, um... not to put too fine a point on it, but I'm unlikely to personally contact Moe's or Del Taco (the two that have already been mentioned) because we lack any and all opportunity to encounter either one locally/regionally-- so the information isn't personally relevant to us currently.   :hiding:

On the other hand, the Taco Time info doesn't matter for most people outside of the PNW, so there is also that.



Sorry, guys, but I do have a day job.



Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 11, 2015, 08:04:50 PM
I certainly wasn't expecting you to contact Moe's or any restaurant.  I simply put it there while it popped into my mind before it left my feeble brain.  :)

And I was thinking it and any other restaurants in the big list you've already created.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 12, 2015, 12:25:12 AM
No worries-- just wanted to make it clear to folks that other than Chipotle, I'm not likely to make many phone calls, either.  I have to verify that one because DD depends upon it as her "cafeteria" food for college.

Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Jessica on January 12, 2015, 04:32:03 AM
I sent an email to Chipotle but haven't heard back. I think it was last week but don't remember which day. I'll report back if they reply.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 12, 2015, 08:15:26 AM
DS ate at Taco Bell without incident yesterday, FWIW. Not making a statement that its safe.

But while I am a fan of coriander, I am not as much a fan of processed cumin. And one reaon I can do TB is that it doesn't give me GI problems that I have when DH puts too much cumin in chili or when we used to use Wick Fowler's.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 12, 2015, 09:50:03 AM
Good to know.

Jessica, in that case, I may spend my rather limited time on Qdoba instead, since that is another that we, personally, need the info on.

Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Jessica on January 12, 2015, 10:45:50 AM
Got this reply from Chipotle:

Thanks so much for the message! We do use cumin in a whole lot of ingredients, but our suppliers have not been affected by this recall so you can continue enjoying all the Chipotle you'd like.

We really appreciate the heads up and hope you'll be in for a bite to eat sometime soon.

Your friend in burrito land,
Amanda C

Customer Service Consultant
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 12, 2015, 01:53:32 PM
See, without knowing all suppliers, I don't know that we can actually trust what any restaurant says at this point.

Case in point:  two weeks ago when I thought this just involved Adams and had no idea who imports the cumin that Adams uses, I called the Texas Tamale Company--both a restaurant and a manuafacturer.  They had not *heard* of the recall. We enjoyed theIt tamales (sold nationwide) Christmas and frankly, I want them as an option for spinach and black bean tamales (wish they also made sweet potato tamales!)

Anyway, I told them. They were appreciative. They called me back last week to tell me they don't use Adams cumin.

Well, fine. But now that information is not enough. I want to call them back, but I want to know the right questions to ask.

Does Chipotle have the right information in order to tell us it's fine?
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 12, 2015, 07:06:22 PM
 :happydance:


EXCELLENT!!!   Thank you so much for sharing their response to you, Jessica.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: setsail on January 12, 2015, 07:39:10 PM
I contacted Taco Bell twice by phone and email. The customer service reps were unaware of any recall and could not verify if cumin is included in the blanket 'spice' statement. I was told that a nutritionist would call me back within 3 business days to follow up on what products contain cumin, and who their supplier is. I'll update when I have information.

Miriam at Taco Bell called me back this morning. Their supplier is not included in the recall, and the nutrition team is aware of the recall.
The only thing my family gets there is refried beans and those specially do not contain cumin. The blanket statement of spice in the ingredients for the beans is chili powder, and natural flavor is garlic and onion.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 12, 2015, 09:46:52 PM
Thank you very much, setsail.  :heart:
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 13, 2015, 02:47:35 PM
Quote from: CMdeux on January 10, 2015, 07:38:47 PM
Qdoba-specific information:

Regular allergen and ingredient listings:

[url]http://www.qdoba.com/downloads/Qdoba_Allergen_Info.pdf[/url]

Again, no cumin spelled out-- but cumin WILL be there in "spice" or "flavorings."  Guarantee it.


[url]http://www.qdoba.com/talk-to-us[/url]



Prefer Phone?

Guest Help and Feedback: 1-858-522-4571

or mail?

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL
7244 W. Bonfils Lane
Lakewood, CO 80226
Reception Desk: (720) 898-2300
Fax: (720) 898-2396




I've got a call in to Qdoba.

They are checking.

My intro was "hey, so there is this HUGE recall happening right now in N. America for peanut contamination in cumin.  Just wondering if Qdoba can tell me whether or not any/all of Qdoba's suppliers have/can verify that their cumin supplies are/are not part of this recall effort?"


(Someone else had already called them-- so they had already been checking!)


As far they know at this point-- their vendors are NOT NOT NOT part of the recall.

"As of this point in time" was the verbiage used, however...  which I questioned him about, but no great answer for that.  Pretty much "we only know what our vendors can tell us at this time, which is that they aren't part of the recall."

So that could change?  "Not to the best of our knowledge at this time.  We don't have very many vendors for something like that, and they have all checked out."



Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 13, 2015, 03:46:38 PM
Well heck yeah it could change.

That's why I'm wanting to know the name of their cumin supplier.  So that I will know next week if I can go there. 
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 13, 2015, 03:55:52 PM
Quote from: Macabre on January 10, 2015, 10:40:58 PM
Moe's would be another place to contact.


Moe's Corporate office:  (404) 255-3250  8-5 ET

I've left a message. I will try again tomorrow.  I asked the name of their cumin supplier. 

Moe's has amazing allergy information.  :)   

http://www.moes.com/food/allergens/

They label for sesame.  Srsly. 

From their allergen page:

(checkmark) Contains allergen

The only soy-derived ingredient used in the recipe or for cooking purposes is highly refined soybean oil, which studies have shown is safe for consumption by most individuals with soy allergies. Please reference www.foodallergy.org

♦ Our corn chips and corn tortilla shells do not contain gluten as an ingredient. We do, however, fry our corn chips and corn tortilla shells in the same fryer as our flour salad shells; therefore, there is a risk of cross-contamination during preparation

Moe’s Southwest Grill® attempts to identify ingredients that may cause allergic reactions for those with food allergies. We strive to educate our food staff on the severity of food allergens and critical points of cross-contamination. Because allergens are present in the environment, there is a potential risk of cross-contamination. Based on the information listed, if you have a food allergy to any of the ingredients prepared or served in our restaurants, please keep in mind when deciding which food items are right for you that there are products containing wheat/gluten, soy, milk, and eggs in our restaurants. Cross-contact may occur during food preparation and storage. Variations may occur due to differences in suppliers and/or ingredient substitutions.

Our food does not contain shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, or sesame.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: nameless on January 15, 2015, 06:18:48 PM
ya'll are focusing on mexican food, when cumin is a popular spice in indian food too...fwiw

Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: CMdeux on January 15, 2015, 06:22:23 PM
Yeah-- it's just... if you already have a peanut allergy, that one is already high risk, so...  it's just a lower priority, that's all-- I mean, yeah, it's still a thing for people who are very definitely not tree-but allergic, sure.

But I don't know of any chains (only locally owned restaurants) and I also don't know much about what would contain cumin other than curries.

Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Jessica on January 15, 2015, 07:20:51 PM
we ate at chipotle today. No problems. dd has never ingested or reacted as far as we know (dx through skin test and uknow test). She has had hives from being around bins of peanuts though. And very possibly cc when she was younger (in the days before we had internet and before we had an allergist and were pretty much clueless about cc and companies were not allergy friendly).
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 15, 2015, 10:08:35 PM
Yeah, we absolutely never go to Indian restaurants.  I make curry at home (except that last year my broad palate DS told me he does not like it ~)  ), but I already know my spices in my cabinet are fine.  But yeah--I can't imagine there are many Indian restaurants that are safe for us with our allergies.  Like I no longer go to Ethiopian restaurants or Thai restaurants.  I just can't imagine eating out that "exotically" anymore. But Mexican food is home.  It's staple food for me. 
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: nameless on January 16, 2015, 06:23:50 PM
nevermind
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Irene on January 17, 2015, 02:39:05 PM
We also eat at Chipotle a lot so I sent them an email this morning.  Received a reply within an hour saying that their cumin supplier is not affected by the recalls.  Hope they are right!
Incidentally, we had lunch at a Bertucci's (MA) today and I asked the manager about the recalls.  It did not seem like he knew about it but he said they do not use cumin in any of their dishes.  Hope he is right. 
I hate this - reminds me of when I am outside the U.S. and I cannot trust what labels say and what people say about ingredients.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: Macabre on January 21, 2015, 06:59:12 PM
Thanks Irene! 

Here's another member who heard the same thing.  This is a huge, huge relief.


Quote from: nameless on January 21, 2015, 05:51:27 PM
CONFIRMED BY ME: Chipotle NOT affected! I suggested the put a notice on their website or FB page to make lots of worried folks happy!

(myname),

Thanks so much for getting in touch. As a Chipotle lover with food allergies, I totally understand how important this is. I'm happy to say we were not impacted by the recall. I'll also suggest we're a bit more forthcoming about this.

I hope you enjoy a burrito bowl soon!

Sincerely,
Amanda C

Customer Service Consultant
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: setsail on January 27, 2015, 12:38:06 PM
Miriam from Taco Bell finally called me back, again. Their cumin supplier is not part of the recall at this time, and I specifically asked if the chili powder contains cumin. She said it does not.
Title: Re: food service/restaurants and cumin recall
Post by: starlight on January 27, 2015, 05:22:11 PM
Thank you setsail!  :happydance: