Food Protection Communications

Food Allergen Campaign—February 2024

Per Public Health Act 23-115, the Connecticut Department of Public Health has developed an informational poster regarding food allergies for display in class 2, class 3 and class 4 food establishments, as defined in section 19a-36g of the general statutes. The poster includes information on:

• The most common allergy-causing foods
• The actions a server should take when a customer notifies the server that the customer has a food allergy
• The ways in which kitchen staff and servers can prevent cross contact of foods
• The need to contact the 911 emergency telecommunications number if a customer has an allergic reaction while on the premises of such food establishment

Not later than March 1, 2024, (1) each class 2, class 3 and class 4 food establishment shall display the poster developed or approved pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in a clear and conspicuous manner in its kitchen or designated staff area, and (2) the certified food protection manager, as defined in section 19a-36g of the general statutes, of each class 2, class 3 and class 4 food establishment shall ensure that each employee of the food establishment has viewed the poster and require each employee to confirm, in writing, that the employee has familiarized himself or herself with the information displayed in the poster. Failure to display the poster shall be grounds for an inspection violation under section 19a-36l of the general statutes.

The posters are available below in 8.5 x 11 and 11 X 17, in both JPG and PDF formats. The posters are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian and Haitian Creole.

Please download any version of the flyers/posters below for you to share or post.

Applesauce Recall Fall 2023/Winter 2024

Various applesauce products are being recalled across the country due to the risk of elevated blood lead levels. The items include WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches, Schnucks brand Cinnamon-flavored Applesauce pouches, and Weis brand Cinnamon Applesauce pouches. The voluntary recall comes after four children in North Carolina who consumed one of the affected products showed signs of lead poisoning. The investigation by North Carolina health officials led to the discovery of extremely high lead concentrations in WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree.

The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a public health alert regarding the WanaBana brand snacks, which are sold through national and online retailers including Sam's Club, Amazon, and Dollar Tree. The recall has expanded to include the Schnucks and Weis brand apple puree pouches. The Schnucks items are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets, while the Weis products can be found at Weis grocery stores. Eating the contaminated products could result in “acute toxicity,” FDA officials said. Parents and caregivers should not buy or serve the cinnamon applesauce products, which are sold through multiple retailers, including Amazon and Dollar Tree.

Please download any versions of the flyers below for you to share or post.