Karmactive Staff
The FDA upgraded its recall of Bunge North America’s NH European Style Butter Blend to Class II status on July 30, 2025, after undeclared milk was discovered in the product. The recall affects 64,800 pounds of butter blend shipped to 12 distribution centers across the United States and one in the Dominican Republic.
The affected product comes in paperboard boxes containing 36 blocks per case, with 1,800 cases in total. Consumers should check for UPC code 1 00 78684 73961 2 and lot number 5064036503.
Class II recalls indicate a situation where exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, but the probability of serious harm is low. Milk allergy affects up to 3-8 % of children and 1-3% adults.
“Every three minutes, someone lands in the emergency room due to accidental food allergen ingestion,” said allergist Dr. Sebastian Lighvani in a previous statement to Newsweek about food allergen risks.
Allergic reactions to milk can range from mild symptoms like hives and vomiting to potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Bunge North America, an agribusiness based in Chesterfield, Missouri, handles various agricultural products including corn, wheat, rice, and soybeans. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
The product is primarily sold business-to-business for foodservice and bakery applications.
This recall highlights ongoing challenges with allergen labeling. Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), milk must be clearly identified on food labels. Undeclared allergens remain a leading cause of FDA food recalls, with milk among the most frequently cited allergens.
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) estimates that approximately 33 million Americans have at least one food allergy. Milk is among the “Big 9” allergens that must be explicitly named on food labels when proteins are present.
Consumers who experience adverse reactions should report them through the FDA’s MedWatch program via their website (www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm) or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
A similar recall occurred just days earlier when on July 25, 2025, Tropicale Foods recalled ice cream for undeclared milk, with one consumer illness reported.Consumers with milk allergies who purchased the affected butter blend should discard it or return it to the retailer for a refund. For more information, they can contact Bunge North America or visit the FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts page to access the original recall notice.
