A popular bread sold at Kroger and Walmart stores across a dozen U.S. states has been urgently recalled due to the presence of undeclared hazelnuts, a potentially life-threatening allergen for sensitive consumers. The recall, initiated by Hartford Bakery Inc., affects specific lots of its Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style half-loaf product.
The issue stems from a packaging error where loaves containing hazelnuts were mislabelled as a different product without proper allergen disclosure. Though the packaging includes a general warning that the product may contain tree nuts, it fails to specifically list hazelnuts as an ingredient. This oversight has triggered a formal alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, citing serious risks for individuals with nut allergies.
The recalled product was distributed to retail stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Kroger and Walmart, among the nation’s largest grocery retailers, carried the affected batches on their shelves.
Hazelnuts can cause a range of allergic reactions, from mild digestive distress to anaphylactic shock, a severe and potentially fatal condition. While no serious medical incidents have been reported so far, one consumer did report an adverse reaction. Hartford Bakery responded quickly by removing the affected loaves from distribution and notifying retailers.
The specific bread under recall is Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style ½-Loaf, 12 oz in weight, with a UPC code of 24126018152 and an expiration date of 07/13/2025. The impacted lot codes include T10 174010206, T10 174010306, T10 174010406, T10 174020206, T10 174020306, and T10 174020406.
Consumers in possession of the affected product are advised not to consume it under any circumstances. Instead, the loaves can be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Hartford Bakery has made a consumer hotline available at 1-812-425-4642 for further assistance.
This incident highlights the critical role of accurate labelling in protecting public health. Food allergies affect millions of Americans, and even small packaging errors can carry severe consequences. With allergen awareness on the rise, manufacturers face increased scrutiny and responsibility in ensuring transparency.
Kroger and Walmart have responded swiftly, working with Hartford Bakery to remove affected stock from their supply chains and inform shoppers about the recall. Both retailers emphasise their commitment to customer safety and have urged consumers to check their pantries immediately.
This latest recall underlines how vital quality control and cross-checking protocols are in the fast-moving food supply chain. As the food industry leans further into innovation and speed, the fundamentals of safety and clear communication must remain firmly in place.