The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has heightened the severity of a recently announced nationwide butter recall.
Labeling Oversight Leads to Class II Recall of Bunge Butter
On Wednesday, July 30, the FDA elevated the recall classification of a butter product from Bunge North America Inc. to Class II — the agency’s second-highest level of concern
According to the FDA’s website, a Class II recall involves “a situation in which 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.”
Bunge, headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, first issued a voluntary recall on July 14, pulling 64,800 pounds (or 1,800 cases) of its European Style Butter Blend 1 lb. product due to an undeclared allergen — milk — not listed on the packaging label.
The company noted that the recalled butter was “packed in white paperboard cases,” each containing “36 blocks to a case,” and distributed to 12 distribution centers across the U.S. and one in the Dominican Republic. The affected product can be identified by lot code number 5064036503.
As of now, the FDA has not reported any illnesses or adverse events related to the recall.
What to Do If You’ve Consumed the Recalled Butter
The FDA advised that if anyone who eats the affected products begins to experience any allergy symptoms, they should “stop eating the food immediately, evaluate the need to use emergency medication (such as epinephrine) and seek medical attention.”
Why Undeclared Milk Poses a Serious Health Risk
Milk is classified as one of the nine major food allergens, according to the FDA. Food-related allergic reactions can range in severity, the agency notes, with symptoms including hives, swelling of the face and lips, vomiting, coughing, or throat swelling.
In more serious cases, reactions can escalate to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that “causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals” and may lead to shock or death, per the Mayo Clinic.
Because of these risks, the FDA “enforces regulations” requiring companies to list all ingredients on packaged foods and beverages. The agency also pointed out that there are “more specific labeling requirements” for products known to “cause allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions.”
A Look at the FDA’s 9 Major Food Allergens
Milk is just one of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA that must be clearly disclosed on food labels due to the health risks they pose. The full list also includes eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. All of these allergens can trigger reactions ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening emergencies like anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
Labeling Oversights Have Prompted Other Major Recalls
The Bunge butter recall is not an isolated case. In recent years, labeling errors involving undeclared allergens have become one of the leading causes of food recalls in the United States, often prompting swift regulatory action due to the potential for serious or even life-threatening allergic reactions.
In July 2025, Mondelēz Global recalled certain Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers after internal wrappers were mistakenly labeled as cheese-flavored. The packaging error posed a significant risk to those with peanut allergies, though no illnesses were reported.
Just a month earlier, Unilever pulled over 6,600 cases of Breyers Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream, which had been mistakenly filled with Rocky Road—a flavor that contains almonds. Although the lid referenced almond content, the inner packaging failed to properly highlight the allergen, leading to an FDA Class II recall.
Aldi’s Atlantic Salmon portions, distributed in May 2025, were recalled due to undeclared soy in the stuffing. The incident underscored a broader issue with ingredient traceability and communication across supply chains.
In another case, cookie products distributed by Jalux Americas were pulled from store shelves in California, Illinois, and Washington after it was discovered they contained undeclared milk and tree nuts. The FDA classified the recall as Class I, its most serious level, due to the “reasonable probability” of severe or fatal reactions.
Even staples like Lay’s Potato Chips were affected—6,000 bags were recalled in early 2025 after milk was found in products labeled as dairy-free. And in February 2025, certain My Mochi Sorbet flavors were recalled for containing egg whites not disclosed on the label, resulting in minor allergic reactions among consumers.
According to FDA data and consumer watchdogs, undeclared allergens account for nearly half of all food recalls, with milk, nuts, wheat, soy, and sesame among the most frequently missed on packaging. Experts point to packaging mix-ups, outdated labels, and inadequate allergen management as recurring root causes.
These incidents illustrate how even small lapses in labeling protocols can have major consequences, reinforcing the importance of strict compliance with FDA regulations designed to protect consumers from hidden allergens.
Sources: People, Mayo Clinic