FDA Issues Risk Warning for Bread Recall Update
A recall of bread amid fears it contains undeclared hazelnuts—a potentially deadly allergen to some—was classified as a potential public health risk this week.
The new assessment of the threat posed follows two initial recalls earlier this month, for loaves that were sold to consumers across 12 states and prompted complaints from some customers, including one who said they felt unwell after eating the bread.
Hartford Bakery, Inc., voluntarily instigated the recall on bread produced by its brand Lewis Bake Shop. It recalled hundreds of loaves from some lots of its “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style ½ Loaf” on July 10 and issued an update the following day to extend the recall to more lots of the same bread.
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall as a Class II health hazard, out of three possible classes which determine the risk levels to the public.
Newsweek has reached out by email, outside of regular working hours, seeking further information and comment from the company through a contact form on the Lewis Bake Shop website.
A loaf of sliced bread is seen in this archive stock photo from November 2003, which was taken in San Francisco, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Tree nut allergy is one of the nine most common food allergies in the U.S., affecting roughly 0.5 to 1 percent of the population, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. The other most common foods responsible for food allergies are wheat, peanuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, fish, soy, and sesame, the FDA says.
Consumers allergic to hazelnuts may suffer a range of symptoms after eating them, including abdominal cramps, vomiting, shortness of breath, and itching of the mouth, eyes, or skin. In severe cases, it can cause death by sparking anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock.
Hartford Bakery has confirmed that one customer “experienced digestive discomfort after consumption” and also received complaints from customers who spotted the nuts before eating the bread.
What To Know
Batches of the “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style ½ Loaf” bread were recalled on July 10 and July 11.
The “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf” products were sold in a flexible plastic bag, which was marked with the following information:
- Lot code T10 174010206, T10 174010306, T10 174010406, T10 174020206, T10 174020306, T10 174020406 found on the front panel of packaging.
- 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.
The bread was distributed throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi by various retailers, including Kroger and Walmart.
The FDA’s assessment of the bread recall has designated it as a Class II risk, which means the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” However, the classification is also used “where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
There are three FDA recall classification classes in total, with Class I being the most severe warning, encompassing the potential for serious health consequences or death, and Class III stating the affected product is not likely to cause health problems.
What People Are Saying
Hartford Bakery, Inc., which sells bread under the Lewis Bake Shop brand, said in its updated press release published by the FDA on July 14: “Hartford Bakery, Inc. is voluntarily recalling six lots of its ‘Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf’ as this product may contain undeclared hazelnuts. People with a nut allergy or severe sensitivity to hazelnuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products […]
“The recall was initiated after discovering that approximately 883 loaves of bread from six production lots contained visible hazelnuts and were distributed in ‘Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf’ packaging. While the packaging states ‘May Contain Tree Nuts,’ it does not state that it ‘Contains Hazelnuts.’ An investigation revealed an error in change of packaging for a hazelnut-containing bread to the implicated white bread product.
“While there have been no major reports of injury or illness to date, Hartford Bakery is aware of one customer who experienced digestive discomfort after consumption. Hartford Bakery also received consumer complaints from those who saw the nuts before consuming the product.”
What Happens Next
Customers who brought the recalled bread are urged to return the loaves to the place of purchase for a full refund. They can also contact Hartford Bakery at 1-812-425-4642 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CST, if they have any questions or concerns, the company says.
