Nationwide butter recall in US as FDA issues urgent health warning to customers. Check details

Issuing the second-highest risk warning, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled butter across the nation due to a potential undeclared allergen. Based in Missouri, Bunge North America Inc., a voluntary recall of 64,800 pounds of its NH European Style Butter Blend on July 14 was initiated.

This is because milk may have not have been listed on the product, reports NewsWeek. The FDA later issued a Class II risk classification for the recall on Thursday.

FDA issues warning over butter recall

The FDA considers Class II recalls to be situations “in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” A Class II risk classification (one of three) refers to a situation in which the "use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to the FDA.

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As defined in the law, milk is one of the nine major food allergens. The other items include eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.

Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms, such as hives and lip swelling, to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.

The recalled item is NH European Style Butter Blend, totaling 64,800 pounds.

UPC Code: 1 00 78684 73961 2

Lot Code: 5064036503

Packaging: White paperboard cases, each containing 36 blocks.

The affected cases were distributed to 12 distribution centers across the United States and one center in the Dominican Republic.

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The FDA, on its website: "People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food."

The Mayo Clinic, on its website: "Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It's one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow's milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction.

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"An allergic reaction usually occurs soon after you or your child consumes milk. Signs and symptoms of milk allergy range from mild to severe and can include wheezing, vomiting, hives and digestive problems. Milk allergy can also cause anaphylaxis — a severe, life-threatening reaction."

Dr. Sebastian Lighvani, director of New York Allergy & Asthma PLLC, previously told Newsweek: "Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last five, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there's like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods."