FDA Issues Risk Warning Over Nationwide Butter Recall

A recall of butter across the United States due to a potential undeclared allergen has been issued the second-highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bunge North America Inc., based in Missouri, initiated a voluntary recall of 64,800 pounds of its NH European Style Butter Blend on July 14 because milk may not have been listed on the product’s label.

The FDA later issued a Class II risk classification for the recall on Thursday.

Newsweek contacted Bunge North America Inc. for comment by email outside of regular working hours.

Why It Matters

A Class II risk classification (one of three) refers to a situation in which the “use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA.

Milk is one of the nine major food allergens as defined in the law. The others are eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.

Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.

What To Know

The product affected by this recall is the following:

• NH European Style Butter Blend – 64,800 pounds – UPC code: 1 00 78684 73961 2 – lot code: 5064036503

The product was packaged in white paperboard cases, with 36 blocks per case.

The cases were shipped to 12 distribution centers located throughout the U.S., and one distribution center in the Dominican Republic.

What People Are Saying

The FDAon its website: “People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”

The Mayo Clinicon its website: “Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It’s one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow’s milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction.

“An allergic reaction usually occurs soon after you or your child consumes milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction.”

Dr. Sebastian Lighvanidirector of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: “Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there’s like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods.”

What Happens Next

The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA.