FDA escalates butter recall over undeclared allergen
The FDA has escalated its warning over a major butter recall that was triggered by a labeling issue. Bunge North America recalled 64,800 lbs of its Non-Hydrogenated European Style Butter Blend last month after investigators found the label did not include milk in the ingredient list.
But now the FDA has upgraded the alert to Class II, used when officials fear temporary or medically reversible health effects. Up to 50million Americans are lactose intolerant, estimates suggest, while 6.1million have an allergy to milk. A milk allergy can result in hives, a rash, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, trouble breathing or a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
The butters were distributed to restaurants and bakeries across the US and the Dominican Republic. They were not sold in grocery stores. The recall included 1,800 cases of 36-count 1lbs butter blocks. A total of 64,800 blocks of the butter have been recalled. The FDA said butters in the recall had a product code found on their packaging that reads: 5064036503.
It has not been revealed whether there are any reports of adverse reactions as a result of consuming the butter. Businesses that received the butter were warned over the labeling issue via email, letter, telephone call or a visit . Estimates suggest about 30 to 50million Americans suffer from lactose intolerance, leaving them unable to eat foods such as butter.
The condition is caused by the small intestine no longer making the enzyme lactase, which is used to break down the sugar lactose found in milk-containing foods. It can cause stomach upset and bloating but it is not a life threatening allergy. It more commonly affects African or Hispanic Americans and people who have taken antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs.
Doctors say the condition usually can't be reversed, and people are advised to manage it by following a low-lactose diet. This is done by limiting consumption of any lactose-containing foods, such as cakes, cookie dough and milk chocolate.
People with a milk allergy, however, can suffer more severe symptoms within minutes of consuming cow's milk. It is caused by the immune system attacking a protein found in the milk. Those who suffer from the reaction can be treated with antihistamines or epinephrine to reduce the reaction.
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