Bread Recall: 3,000 Loaves Recalled Over Presence Of Undeclared Allergen

A company is voluntarily recalling 3,000 loaves of bread because they may contain undeclared milk. Those with an allergy or sensitivity to milk may experience a potentially serious allergic reaction if they consume the product.

The problem is that loaves of Nature's Own Butterbread, which contain milk, were "inadvertently" packed in the packaging for Nature's Own Honey Wheat bread, which doesn't have milk listed in the ingredients, the company announcement posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website noted. As such, someone with a milk allergy or sensitivity may eat the affected product after reading the label, thinking it doesn't contain milk.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, about 2% to 3% of children younger than three years old actually have a milk allergy. Although many of them eventually outgrow their milk allergy by the time they are 16, some simply don't. These individuals need to keep avoiding milk or items that contain milk products and carefully read the labels of their food.

If someone with a milk allergy consumes food with milk products, they may have reactions including hives, vomiting, bloody stools and upset stomach. Rarely, someone may experience anaphylaxis, or the severe and potentially life-threatening reaction wherein the body goes into shock.

In the case of the current recall, there haven't been reports of related illnesses or incidents to date.

The recall affects Flowers Foods' Nature's Own Honey Wheat Bread (20-oz) with UPC 0-72250-03706-8 and Nature's Own 2-pack Honey Wheat Bread (40-oz) with UPC 0-72250-00539-5. These have a "best if used by" date of "12-26-21" and product codes "128 346 03:00 through 128 346 05:00" on the package.

The affected products were sold in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. They were also possibly distributed in Blythe, Brawley, Calexico, Calipatra, El Centro, Needles and Westmoreland in California, in Laughlin, Nevada, and a wholesale distributor in California "serving Mexico," the announcement noted.

Those who have the product are being advised to not eat it. Instead, they should take it back to the place of purchase to get a full refund. Consumers who have questions may contact the company's Customer Relations Center at 1-866-245-8921.