A POPULAR snack has been pulled from shelves over fears of a ‘life-threatening’ hidden ingredient.

Shoppers are being urgently warned to check their cupboards and return the snack item immediately.

The product, a certain flavor of crackers, could contain an “undeclared” component.

It’s a go-to treat for many craving something salty.

However, it now poses a serious health risk to some consumers.

Firehook Artisan Classic Sea Salt Organic Crackers are subject to the recall.

An undisclosed number of packages of the crackers were sold across the East Coast.

This includes retail stores in 11 states.

The states affected include Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

The company, Firehook of Virginia, initiated the urgent recall after it had discovered “undeclared sesame” in the product. 

This is a critical allergen for many consumers.

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a strong warning as well.

“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the FDA stated.

Sesame is recognized as one of the top nine food allergens in the US. 

Approximately 1 million Americans suffer from a sesame allergy.

The mislabeling was blamed on a “temporary breakdown” in production. 

The company’s packaging processes were also cited as faulty.

While the FDA report did not name specific stores, Firehook’s website has offered some clues.

The company’s products are sold at major retailers like Costco, Whole Foods, and Stop & Shop.

They are also available on Amazon and other outlets.