FDA Elevates Bunge’s Butter Recall to Class II Amid Milk Allergen Concerns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated a voluntary recall by Bunge North America of its NH European Style Butter Blend to a Class II status, the agency’s second-highest risk level, due to the presence of an undeclared milk allergen, a major allergen under FDA guidelines . Distributed beginning July 14 across 12 U.S. distribution centres and the Dominican Republic, the recall covers 1,800 cases (totaling 64,800 lbs) marked with UPC 10078684739612 and Lot 5064036503 . Each white paperboard case contains 36 one‑pound blocks of butter . No illnesses have been reported to date, but the FDA warns that undeclared milk could trigger reactions from mild intolerance symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis in allergic consumers .

Bunge says it is reviewing its quality control systems, and consumers are urged to check their packaging for the affected codes and either discard or return the product to the place of purchase for a refund. Retailers including major chains like Walmart and Kroger could be impacted depending on distribution overlaps .

Industry Insight: The incident underscores the critical importance of allergen labeling compliance in dairy processing, especially for B2B suppliers serving foodservice and institutional buyers. Companies may accelerate vendor audits, tighten traceability, and enforce more rigorous QA standards to protect against liability and preserve consumer trust. The recall may also prompt buyers to favour suppliers with robust allergen control systems, potentially tightening procurement options and affecting butter commodity flows.

Source : Dairynews7x7 August 4th 2025