Oct 4, 2012

Maggot-like insects found in Disney snack bars for toddlers produced by healthy food guru Annabel Karmel

Insects have been found in healthy snack bars for toddlers carrying Disney character names and produced by the British child food guru Annabel Karmel.
Thousands of the bars have been removed from sale following the discovery of insect larvae that look like maggots.

The products involved are Annabel Karmel chewy bars, which are sold as an alternative to junk food snacks and carry images of Mickey Mouse to appeal to youngsters.
Baby and Toddler Meal Planner
Annabel Karmel
Child food guru: Annabel Karmel's Baby and Toddler Meal Planner has sold three million copies worldwide
Mrs Karmel has built a multi-million pound food empire from her ability to tap into the difficulties that parents have in getting children to eat healthily.

Her success stems from her book the Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner, first published 17 years ago, which has sold more than three million copies around the world.

To date, she has written 17 books on food and child nutrition, while her business has expanded to include baby products and, more recently, ready meals.
Annabel Karmel Disney Oaty Chewy Bars
Annabel Karmel Disney Oaty Chewy Bars
Annabel Karmel Apple and Blackcurrant Oaty Chewy Bars and Annabel Karmel Apple and Raspberry Oaty Chewy Bars, both pictured, have been recalled because of food safety concerns
She has devised healthy menus in attractions such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventure, Warwick Castle and Sea Life theme parks.

While in 2010, she signed a partnership deal with Disney to launch a series of healthy snacks featuring Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh.

At the time, she heralded the deal saying: ‘I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to add fun to healthier foods. So I have teamed up with some all-time favourite Disney characters to create this yummy range of wholesome snacks.’
 
The food safety recall involves Annabel Karmel Apple and Blackcurrant Oaty Chewy Bars and Annabel Karmel Apple and Raspberry Oaty Chewy Bars, which both use images of Mickey Mouse on the packs.

Details were revealed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) which said the company ordered the recall following three complaints from customers.

An FSA spokesman said: ‘The insects are believed to be a maggot - a larvae of some sort. They have been sent for analysis to find out more.
Recall: Insect larvae have allegedly been found in Annabel Karmel's chewy bars, similar to those pictured
Recall: Insect larvae have allegedly been found in Annabel Karmel's chewy bars, similar to those pictured
‘The company received three complaints, but decided to recall the whole range, not just specific batches.

‘The source is not known. This is being investigated by the company and local authorities.’

The range is produced by Lightbody Ventures, which has contracted an outside manufacturer to produce the bars under license.

Lightbody’s managing director, Neil Stewart, said: ‘We have been made aware of a potential foreign body contamination.

‘The health and well-being of the consumers of Annabel Karmel products is an absolute priority.

‘We demand of our licensees the very highest standards of product quality and require them to implement the necessary processes and procedures to ensure that all applicable food safety standards are met.

‘Lightbody is performing an internal investigation with its supplier to effect corrective action.’
No other Annabel Karmel or Disney products are affected by the recall.

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