FDA Raises Recall Severity of 64,000 Pounds of Butter Due to Absurd Labeling Error

From our “You Had One Job” Desk comes this classic example of mismanagement: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated a nationwide butter recall, elevating the risk classification for Bunge North America Inc.’s European Style Butter Blend on July 30 — the reason: undeclared milk, butter’s primary ingredient.

According to the FDA, a Class II recall is issued when a product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or if the probability of serious health consequences is remote. The company initially announced a voluntary recall on July 14 for 64,800 pounds of its butter due to undeclared milk, one of nine major food allergens requiring special labeling, which was not listed on the product label.

Based in Chesterfield, Missouri, Bunge confirmed the recalled butter was packaged in white paperboard cases, with 36 blocks per case, and distributed to a dozen centers across the United States and one in the Dominican Republic. The specific lot code number for the affected product is 5064036503. At this time, the FDA has not reported any illnesses or adverse reactions related to the recalled butter, and Bunge North America Inc. has not yet responded to requests for comment.

As dictated by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA), the FDA implemented strict labeling requirements for eight major allergens to help prevent severe allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to these ingredients: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and crustacean shellfish. In 2021, as a result of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2021 (FASTER Act), sesame was added as the ninth major allergen requiring special labeling.

We’re not sure what safety procedures Bunge has in place to check their product labels before and after printing, but we strongly suggest they up their quality control game. This type of error is inexcusable and indicates a severe lack of oversight at the company.