GoPicnic Responds to Recent Peanut Recalls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 2, 2009 -- GoPicnic, the leading manufacturer of ready-to-eat meals, responds to recent recalls and media reports related to salmonella poisoning in food products due to peanut contamination with the following statement:

“Since the inception of GoPicnic, we have never used any food products that contain any peanuts or peanut ingredients due to customer concerns regarding allergy risks,” states Julia Stamberger, president and co-founder of GoPicnic. “The addition of the recent recalls, especially given their impact on schools who use peanut-based products for meals and fundraisers, further reinforces our commitment to avoiding peanut ingredients in GoPicnic meals,” says Stamberger.

Peanut allergies are the most common food allergies, and it is estimated that over 1% of the population, or 3 million Americans, are allergic to peanuts, and the prevalence of peanut allergies is growing rapidly, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Individuals allergic to peanuts can have reactions triggered by ingesting foods with peanuts as ingredients, using utensils or eating foods cross-contaminated with peanuts, inhaling dust from open bags of peanuts, or by touching a surface where peanuts have been. Reactions can range from hives to throat constriction, respiratory distress, vomiting, blood pressure drop and shock.
GoPicnic offers more than 25 delicious meal options free of peanut ingredients for adults and kids, including vegetarian, gluten-free, gluten-free/casein-free and kosher meals. GoPicnic meals require no refrigeration or preparation and are ready to eat anywhere and anytime you're hungry, just open & enjoy! Packed with natural ingredients, GoPicnic meals are free of trans fats, high fructose corn syrup and added MSG. Each item is individually wrapped and labeled directly by the manufacturer and clearly discloses all ingredients and food allergy risks.

More About GoPicnic:

GoPicnic provides its lines of adult and kids meals to a wide variety of markets including hotels, military, conventions, corporate & personal events, tour groups, zoos, museums, health clubs, airports, university bookstores, camps, elementary-middle schools and vending outlets. GoPicnic also offers a full-service fundraising program for schools and other organizations. GoPicnic is the leader in producing high-quality, nutritious ready-to-eat meals for the travel industry with clients that include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines and Amtrak. GoPicnic meals are available for purchase at www.GoPicnic.com