Tejal Somvanshi
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company pulled specific batches of its dark chocolate covered macadamias from stores after finding they contain unmarked almonds and cashews. The Hawaii-based company launched this recall on April 26, 2025, to protect consumers with nut allergies.
For the millions of Americans with serious nut allergies, this unlisted ingredient poses a genuine health threat. Reactions to tree nuts can be severe and even life-threatening in sensitive individuals.
The recall targets two specific product sizes distributed across 17 states and territories. The smaller 0.6-ounce bags have UPC 0 72992 05464 4 with lot numbers K5069C1 and K5069C2, marked with a “best by” date of October 2026. The larger 4-ounce bags show UPC 0 72992 05556 6 with lot numbers B4339E1 and B4340E1 and a July 2026 expiration.
“No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date in connection with this issue,” Mauna Loa stated in its recall notice.
The problem surfaced during routine quality checks when Mauna Loa discovered the contamination in products made by a third-party manufacturer. The affected items were shipped to retailers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Guam.
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The FDA maintains strict requirements for food allergen labeling. All major allergens, including tree nuts like almonds and cashews, must appear clearly on product labels. This system breaks down when cross-contamination occurs during manufacturing.
For consumers who purchased these products and have almond or cashew allergies, the guidance is clear: don’t eat them. Return the packages to the purchase location for a full refund. Those with questions can reach Mauna Loa’s customer service at 1-888-255-5998 on weekdays.
This recall highlights the challenge food companies face when working with outside manufacturers. Even with quality control systems in place, maintaining allergen safety requires constant vigilance throughout the entire production chain.
For people managing food allergies, accurate labeling isn’t just helpful—it’s essential protection against potentially dangerous exposures. When labels miss crucial allergen information, the safety system designed to protect vulnerable consumers fails.
While the company acted quickly once the problem was identified, the incident serves as a reminder of how critical proper ingredient disclosure remains in food safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mauna Loa is recalling its Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias in both 0.6oz and 4oz bags with specific lot numbers. The recall only affects certain batches, not all Mauna Loa products.
These products are being recalled because they may contain undeclared almonds and cashews, which are allergens not listed on the product labels. This poses a serious health risk to people with allergies to these nuts.
Check the packaging for these specific details:
For 0.6oz bags: UPC 0 72992 05464 4, lot numbers K5069C1 and K5069C2, best by date 10/2026.
For 4oz bags: UPC 0 72992 05556 6, lot numbers B4339E1 and B4340E1, best by date 07/2026.
If you have a recalled product and have an allergy to almonds or cashews, do not eat it. Everyone with these products should return them to the store where purchased for a full refund, regardless of whether you have allergies.
As of the recall announcement on April 26, 2025, no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported in connection with these products. The recall is a preventative measure to protect consumers.
Consumers with questions can contact Mauna Loa’s Customer Service at 1-888-255-5998, Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
