A popular dairy-free alternative to milk is being recalled in more than two dozen states because it could cause a “life-threatening” reaction.
HP Hood LLC, based in Massachusetts, has recalled five 96oz packages of Lactaid Milk because the products may contain undeclared almonds.
People with an almond allergy or sensitivity are at risk of a potentially fatal allergic reaction if they consume the products.
The company discovered traces of almond in its products after routine maintenance processes revealed traces of the food. No illnesses were reported, the FDA said.
The products were sold to retailers and wholesalers in 27 states across the country.
The recall applies to products as listed above, with expiration dates ranging from November through December 2024
Lactaid 2% Calcium Enriched Milk (pictured above) is one of the products included in the recall
Your browser does not support iframes.
The states are Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The recall affects 96 oz refrigerated containers of Lactaid products, dairy-free milk alternatives for people with lactose intolerance, with expiration dates ranging from November 2024 through December 2024.
The product lot code is 51-4109 P2.
These include Lactaid Whole Milk, Lactaid 2% Milk, Lactaid 1% Milk, Lactaid Fat-Free Milk and Lactaid 2% Calcium Fortified Milk.
The FDA recall notice stated: ‘People who are allergic to almonds or extremely sensitive to them may be at risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.’
Almonds are considered nuts and fall into the drupe category, a type of fruit with a fleshy exterior and a shell covering a seed.
Although the estimated number of people with nut allergies varies widely depending on location and definition of allergy, in 2018 an estimate was made of study suggested that this could range from 0.2 percent of children to 0.5 percent of adults.
Among people with nut allergies, which include cashews, pecans and hazelnuts, nine to fifteen percent of people report an allergy to almonds, according to Allergy Insider.
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to a protein in almonds, causing a range of symptoms that range from mild to severe.
Lactaid Fat Free Milk (left) and Lactaid 1% Milk (right) are among the products included in the recall
Symptoms may include itching in the mouth and throat, hives, stomach pain, vomiting, shortness of breath, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat.
In severe cases, people can go into anaphylactic shock, a serious and potentially fatal allergic reaction.
People with anaphylaxis experience swelling of the throat, which causes difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, a weak pulse, and dizziness or fainting.
They can also go into shock, which happens when the body’s circulatory system can’t pump enough blood to vital tissues and organs.
Anaphylaxis is treated with epinephrine, or adrenaline, which can be injected into the thigh of an allergic person. Supplemental oxygen, as well as antihistamines and steroids, can also help improve a person’s condition.
The exact annual number of fatal cases of anaphylaxis in the United States is unknown, but one study It is estimated that between 0.25 and 0.33 percent of patients with anaphylaxis die, which amounts to 60 to 100 deaths per year.