31-07-2025
FDA upgrades recall of cookie products to most dangerous class
The FDA has upgraded a cookie recall danger classification, designating the risk of eating them as causing 'a reasonable probability of death.' The recall was first issued on July 14th when Jalux Americas, Inc, doing business as found undeclared milk and tree nuts not listed on the ingredients label during an inventory audit.
Severe allergies can be life-threatening, causing difficulty breathing due to wheezing and throat swelling, a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure, a rapid pulse, and shock, as a result of organs and tissues not receiving enough oxygen. The products impacted by the recall are sold as L'espoir cookies and Drycapot cookies, which contain undeclared tree nuts. Milk and tree nut allergies are common, affecting about 6million Americans and 4million Americans, respectively. Both typically begin in childhood and can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
According to the FDA : 'People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk and/or tree nuts (almond and macadamia nuts) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.' The recalled products were distributed in California, Illinois, and Washington and sold exclusively at stores in Torrance, CA; San Jose, CA; Arlington Heights, IL; and Lynnwood, WA.
The L'espoir, with undeclared milk, was sold at stores between May 26 and June 30, 2025, and the Drycapot, containing undeclared tree nuts, was sold at stores between May 31 and June 30, 2025. There were no online sales. Jalux Americas, Inc, said : 'The recall was initiated after it was discovered during an inventory audit that L'espoir product containing Milk and the Drycapot product containing Tree Nuts were inadvertently distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of those allergens. 'No illnesses have been reported to date.'
Consumers who have purchased L'espoir L4FN and Drycapot D4FN products with the best before date of September 26, 2025 should return them to where they bought them for a full refund, the company added. The company has already taken remedial steps, telling Newsweek: 'As part of our preventive measures, our supplier partner has added a step at their manufacturing facility to verify that the product matches the label after it is applied, and to record this verification in the production log.
'Our supplier partner will also reinforce allergy and manufacturing procedure training at the facility. 'At the retail store level, we will strengthen our checks during stocking to ensure there are no discrepancies between products and labels, not just for the manufacturer of the recalled products but across all items.' Recalls due to undeclared allergens are not uncommon.
Last week, the FDA announced that Tropicale Foods is recalling various Helados Mexico and La Michoacana ice cream products due to undeclared milk, posing a risk of severe allergic reactions. Although 'cream' is listed in ingredients, 'milk' is not explicitly declared, violating allergen labeling laws. And about three weeks ago, the FDA classified a recall by Weaver Nut Company as a dangerous Class 1. Certain chocolate products were recalled due to undeclared milk allergens. The recall was triggered after a customer complaint, and testing confirmed that the chocolate contained milk that was not listed on the ingredients list.
