Kroger has been a dominant grocery giant for many decades. However, the company recently announced sweeping recalls for a specific bread product. The issue lies with Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 loaves, which have been found to contain an undeclared product that can cause allergic reactions.
Many Americans are allergic to nuts, and the recall has been declared so that consumers don’t unwittingly buy bread that contains hazelnuts.
The Recall
Hartford Bakery, the producer of the loaves of bread, found that nearly 900 products had hazelnuts that were not disclosed in the packaging.
While the product information says “May Contain Tree Nuts,” it doesn’t specifically mention hazelnuts, which violates the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allergen labeling rules. According to the FDA, those allergic to the allergen could be put at serious risk.
Specifics
The specific product recalled is the 12oz (340g) flexible plastic bag containing the Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf. The front of the packaging lists lot codes.
Consumers can also identify the product by looking for the Universal Product Code (UPC) 24126018152 and the expiration date of July 13, 2025.
Where It Was Sold
Before the hazelnuts were identified as part of the product, they were shipped across multiple states to major retailers, including both Kroger and Walmart.
Affected states include Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi. Related recalls have impacted more states as well.
Allergen Risk
Tree nuts, including hazelnuts, are a common allergen in the United States. When those with the allergy consume even a small amount of tree nuts, severe consequences can follow, including life-threatening anaphylaxis.
The FDA has urged consumers with nut allergies to avoid the recalled product entirely to ensure they don’t put themselves at severe health risks.
How The Issue Started
The law requires any products that contain specific nuts to be disclosed on the packaging. The mistake with the bread happened due to a packaging error, where the hazelnut loaves were put into packages for plain white bread.
Since the label does not stipulate the presence of hazelnuts, customers reported the issue, prompting the recall.
Consumer Complaints
The customer complaints were reported to Hartford Bakery after consumers noticed visible hazelnuts in the product before eating it.
Thankfully, according to the FDA and news outlets, no serious health impacts or complications have been reported thus far. One consumer did report digestive discomfort after eating the bread.
What Consumers Should Do
For any consumers who have bought Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf, checking the lot codes and expiration date is an important step in identifying if it is the recalled product.
Those who bought the recalled bread can return it to where they purchased it to receive a refund. If consumers have more questions, they can contact the Hartford Bakery directly.
A Broader Recall
This latest recall is part of a broader wave of feed safety actions in the past few months. Because of listeria contaminants, Kroger has had to recall other products, including ready-made chicken fettuccine Alfredo.
Other products, including cucumbers and peppers, have also been recalled due to listeria and salmonella concerns in 13 states.
Oversight
The FDA supervises any products that are recalled and has put laws into place that require strict labeling of products.
The agency emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and accurate labeling to keep consumers informed and safe, especially those with allergies. The FDA said that the recall happened “out of an abundance of caution.”
Lessons
The mistake and subsequent recall of Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf and other products is an important lesson for consumers to always check product labels and report any inconsistencies through the proper channels, such as store management or the FDA directly.
Big brands and retailers aren’t immune to manufacturing errors; consumers should always stay vigilant.
Swift Action
Thanks to swift action taken by Kroger and the FDA, products were recalled in mass before any serious health impacts could be reported. For those with allergies and the recalled bread, do not eat it, and return the product to its origin store.
Laws are put in place to protect consumers, but mistakes can occur and have disastrous implications for the most vulnerable.