Lactaid milk recalled over nut contamination fears
US dairy company HP Hood has recalled five SKUs of its 96oz Lactaid milk because the products may contain trace amounts of almond.
The issue was discovered during routine maintenance, the company said, and the recall applies to a 'limited number' of products with the code 51-4109 P2 and best-by dates ranging from November 22 to December 5.
Products from Hood’s Whole, 2%, 1%, Fat Free and 2% Calcium Enriched ranges have been affected. The products were shipped to retailers and wholesalers from September-18 to the following states: AL, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, VA, WI, and WY.
Consumers with an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products, the recall notice says; but no illnesses have so far been reported.
Consumers who purchased the product may return it to the retail location where the purchase was made for a full refund or exchange, or call Hood Consumer Affairs at 800-242-2423 Monday through Friday from 9 AM ET to 5:00 PM ET.
This voluntary recall is being initiated with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration.
HP Hood is one of the largest family-owned fluid milk bottling company in the US, with annual sales exceeding $3bn in 2022. The company operates nine milk processing plants and also produces cream, half & half and a variety of fermented dairy products, ice cream and non-dairy beverages such as Almond Breeze and Planet Oat brands.
Hood's extended shelf-life milk business is its largest segment, with Lactaid Lactose Free Milk its largest brand. According to Circana, Lactaid’s Class I lactose-free milk’s total US multi outlet sales exceed 108 million gallons for the 52 weeks ending July 30, 2023, making it the largest specialty milk brand in the US.
A list of the affected SKUs follows below.
