Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) released the following statement in response to the product recall issued today by Georgia–based supplier, Flying Food Group:
As previously communicated, on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, we learned that Flying Food Group, LLC, in Lawrenceville, Ga., one of our suppliers, recalled ready-to-eat chicken wraps and plates delivered to Starbucks retail stores only in Alabama and Georgia due to potential health concerns. The products subject to this USDA requested recall were the Starbucks Chipotle Chicken Wraps Bistro Box and the Starbucks Chicken & Hummus Bistro Box sold in Alabama and Georgia stores only on July 14 and 15, 2011.
Today, July 26, 2011, we were informed by Flying Food Group that, at the request of the USDA, they are expanding the recall. This expanded recall includes the two previously mentioned products and extends to two additional Starbucks products; the Starbucks Salumi and Cheese Bistro Box and the Starbucks Chicken Lettuce Wraps Bistro Box. All four products were sold only in Alabama and Georgia and produced between July 13 and July 24. This recall does not affect any Starbucks stores outside of Alabama and Georgia.
There have been no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.
On Monday, July 25, we asked our stores in these two states to remove these products from our stores and discard them. As a proactive measure to ensure we were protecting the best interest of our customers, this voluntary action went beyond the recalled items and included other items produced by the impacted Flying Food Group facility in Lawrenceville.
As a result, all products produced in the impacted facility are no longer available in our stores. New products will be provided soon from other locations.
The safety of our customers and partners is of the utmost importance and we take our obligation to provide safe products seriously. We responded immediately, and in cooperation with our supplier and the USDA we will continue to work to ensure that all products meet Starbucks high quality assurance standards. We will continue to respond quickly and with great care to ensure that all of our suppliers meet our high standards.