THE FDA has announced an urgent recall of bread sold at Kroger and Walmart due a hidden ingredient that can be life-threatening.
An alert has been put out across 12 states with at least one person reported to be suffering “discomfort” as a result of the contamination.
Hartford Bakery, Inc. voluntarily recalled six lots of its Lewis Baked Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf on July 10.
It comes after batches in six lots were found to contain hazelnuts.
The presence of nuts had not been declared on the packaging, posing a serious health risk to those with nut allergies.
The company warned that individuals who have a nut allergy or a strong sensitivity to hazelnuts could face serious or even life-threatening allergic reactions if they eat these items.
Symptoms of nut allergies can vary from mild to severe.
They may include itching, skin redness, stomach cramps, nausea, and a scratchy throat.
Those with more of a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis could struggle to breath which can be life-threatening.
Such symptoms can include swelling of the tongue, throat, and airways, difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, continuous coughing, bluish skin, and fainting.
The error was detected during an investigation into a change of packaging.
It found that consumers were told the contents “May Contain Tree Nuts” but not that it “Contains Hazelnuts”.
“Although no significant injuries or illnesses have been reported so far, Hartford Bakery has received information about one customer experiencing digestive issues after eating the product,” the Bakery stated.
“Hartford Bakery also received consumer complaints from those who saw the nuts before consuming the product.”
Recalled batches can be identified by the various information given on the plastic bag bread packaging.
Consumers are urged to check for a key expiration date, the net weight, and the lot code.
Recalled Hartford Bakery Products
Shoppers must check the packaging of their bread for the following information. If it matches, the item has been recalled and should not be consumed.
The following lot codes are affected – these can be found on the front panel of packaging:
- T10 174010206
- T10 174010306
- T10 174010406
- T10 174020206
- T10 174020306
- T10 174020406
Net Weight 12OZ (340G), UPC 24126018152 found on the bottom of packaging.
An expiration date of 07/13/2025 found on the front panel of packaging.
No items outside of those listed in the recall are affected.
Shoppers in the following states may be impacted by the recall:
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Alabama
- Mississippi
Almost 900 loaves of bread make up the Hartford Bakery Recall.
Shoppers who have a recalled loaf can take them back to the retailer they bought it from for a full refund.
Meanwhile, two home items from Amazon have been recalled over a risk of death to children.
Hazelnut Allergy Reactions
If someone with a hazelnut allergy eats any product that contains hazelnuts, their body can react severely because their immune system sees the nuts as a harmful substance
Mild to Moderate Reactions:
- Hives or skin rash
- Itchy mouth or throat
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
- Runny nose, sneezing, or watery eyes
Severe Reactions (Anaphylaxis):
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Drop in blood pressure
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness or fainting
- Loss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment, usually with an epinephrine injection (like an EpiPen) and emergency medical care.
