Popular Lactaid Milk Recalled Due to Almond Allergen—Here’s What You Should Know

Recalls, recalls and—yes—more recalls. We’ve seen chicken, deli meat, waffles, coffee and even raisins pulled from shelves over the past few months. Now, a popular lactose-free milk brand joins the list. Lactaid has been recalled nationwide due to the presence of an undeclared allergen. Here’s what you need to know. 

Why was Lactaid Milk recalled?

HP Hood LLC, the dairy supplier of Lactaid, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on September 20 a voluntary recall of five specific 96-ounce containers of Lactaid Milk which “may contain trace amounts of almond, which is not listed on the label.” 

While no reports of serious illness have been made, people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the products, the companies noted. The undeclared almond allergen was discovered during routine maintenance programs.

How to tell if recalled Lactaid is in your fridge

The affected milk containers were shipped to retailers and wholesalers between September 5 and September 18 in 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.

They contain the code 51-4109 P2 and a specific group of Best By dates, which can be found on the chart provided by the FDA. Whole milk, 2 percent milk, 1 percent milk, fat-free milk and calcium-enriched milk are included. 

What to do if you own recalled Lactaid products 

If you purchased Lactaid products that have been recalled, you 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, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Why are products frequently recalled for allergens? 

This is far from the first time a recall has been issued due to an unlabeled allergen. In fact, improper or missing allergen labels are one of the most common causes of recalls. 

“To protect those with food allergies and other food hypersensitivities, the FDA enforces regulations requiring companies to list ingredients on packaged foods and beverages,” notes the administration. “For certain foods or substances that cause allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions, there are more specific labeling requirements.” 

In 2004, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) identified eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. In 2023, sesame was officially added to the list. 

Consumers react to potential almond traces in Lactaid 

Tree nut allergy is a common and often severe health concern that affects approximately 1 percent of the U.S. population (or three million people nationwide). While there were no dangerous adverse events disclosed, customers agree that the risk posed by the allergen is significant. 

“As someone with MANY severe reactions to different foods, this is terrifying,” one TikTok user commented on the video. “The other terrifying part? When they just list ‘natural flavors’ on the ingredients list. I need to know what it is.” 

“I got a swollen lip today due to this,” wrote another. “Be careful everyone.”

One commenter said that they stopped purchasing Lactaid before the recall because they had reached out to the parent company to inquire about potential allergens, and was told there was no guarantee that cross-contamination did not occur. 

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to tree nuts

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, symptoms of a tree nut allergy may include abdominal pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; itchy mouth, throat, eyes, skin or any other area; nasal congestion or a runny nose; nausea; shortness of breath; and Anaphylaxis, a less common but potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock.  

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