NJ Honey Laced Erectile Treatment, Cookies, Strawberries Recalled

NEW JERSEY — A New Jersey online retailer voluntarily recalled a honey product with the active ingredient in Cialis following a written warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Along with "Dose Vital VIP Vital Honey," the FDA announced several recalls on key products. They include cookies that may contain traces of gluten despite being labeled gluten-free and blueberries that may contain lead above the FDA's recommended limits.

Here's what New Jerseyans should know about the recalls:

Sweet As Honey, And Cialis?

MKS Enterprise, LLC — an online retailer based in Passaic County — had sold a honey product and claimed it treated several ailments, according to the FDA. But the agency's laboratory analysis confirmed the product's undeclared presence of tadalafil — the active ingredient in Cialis, used to treat erectile dysfunction. See the full recall notice.

Federal health regulators haven't recognized Vital Honey as a safe and effective treatment for any of the listed ailments. Therefore, the FDA classifies the product as a "new drug," which means the agency must approve it for the market based on scientific data.

As a result, the FDA sent MKS Enterprise a written warning July 1, giving the company 15 days upon receipt to give the agency a written plan to prevent recurring violations. MKS Enterprise announced Monday a voluntary recall — meaning that despite pressure from federal-regulatory authorities, the U.S. government did not have to mandate the recall. Related article: Honey Laced With Erectile Treatment By NJ Company Violates Law: FDA

Tadalafil can interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, the FDA says. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates.

The product comes in a black box and contains 12 sachets of 15 grams of honey, with different expiration dates stamped on the backside. Consumers with questions can contact MKS Enterprise via its website or by calling 201-206-0501 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Recall On Freeze-Dried Blueberries

BrandStorm Inc. voluntarily recalled two lots of organic, freeze-dried blueberry pouches because of the "presence or potential presence" of lead above the FDA's recommended limits. See the recall announcement.

Lead is a naturally occurring element that fruits and vegetables can pick up during cultivation, and everyone is exposed to small amounts of it through routine actions such as inhaling dust, eating food or drinking water, the FDA says. But exposure to larger amounts of the toxic substance can lead to lead poisoning.

The recalled product — 1.2-ounce pouches of Natierra Organic Freeze-Dried Blueberries — was sold in stores and online throughout the United States. According to the recall, the issue pertains to two batches of the blueberries, with the following codes and information:

• Lot 2021363-1, Best By Date: 12/2024
  • 1 serving, 1.2oz (34g), UPC 812907011160
• Lot 2022026-1, Best By Date: 01/2025
  • 1 serving, 1.2oz (34g), UPC 812907011160

Customers can identify the product by checking the name, manufacturer details and lot number on the bottom right of the pouch. Don't consume the recalled product, BrandStorm Inc. warns. Anyone who purchased the blueberries should discard them and get a refund where they bought them.

BrandStorm Inc. has not received any reports of adverse effects from the product.

Gluten-Free? Perhaps Not

A New York company also voluntarily recalled a lot code of one of its cookies. The lot, featuring 12-ounce packages of Sweet Loren’s Sugar Cookie Dough, may contain traces of gluten despite being labeled gluten-free, according to Sweet Loren's. View the full recall notice.

The product reached shelves in grocery stores throughout much of the nation, including New Jersey. The recalled cookies have a lot code of AF22 115 and a best-by date of Dec. 1. The decision doesn't impact any other lots of Sweet Loren’s Sugar Cookie Dough.

Sweet Loren's says it identified the issue in-house, determining that the out flour used in the impacted lot had traces of gluten.

Customers can return the product for a full refund at their place of purchase. If you have questions, contact the company at 1-855-496-0532 any day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., or contact QA@sweetlorens.com.