The Milk Recall in 27 States Is Critical to People Allergic to Almonds. Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re allergic to nuts, it’s important that you pay attention to the type of milk you’re drinking these days. A recent recall affects five types of milk that were sold in 27 states this month.

Here’s what you need to know.

What happened to the milk? In mid-September, HP Hood, a Massachusetts dairy company, issued a voluntary product recall for five types of its Lactaid milk because they might contain traces of almond. The presence of almond was not disclosed on the label of the milk products. Lactaid is a brand of milk for people who are allergic or sensitive to lactose.

“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” HP Hood said in a statement.

The company, which also produces ice cream and cheese, said it discovered the cross-contamination during its routine maintenance programs.

What happens if you’re allergic to almonds and drink the milk? People with almond allergies run the risk of developing a serious or life-threatening reaction if they consume these products. Symptoms include abdominal pain, rash, difficulty swallowing, itching, swelling of the face and throat, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis.

“People with almond allergy tend to exhibit severe reactions. Oftentimes it begins with a rash followed by swelling of the mouth or face and then the throat," the New York Allergy and Sinus Centers says on its website. “Symptoms are often brought on within minutes, but they can also take hours to appear. People who have had mild almond allergy reactions in the past are at risk for more severe reactions in the future.”

No illnesses linked to the milk have been reported to date, according to HP Hood.

What products are affected? The recall affects the 96 oz container versions of Lactaid Whole Milk, Lactaid 2% Milk, Lactaid 1% Milk, Lactaid Fat Free Milk, and Lactaid 2% Calcium Enriched Milk. According to the company, they were shipped to retailers between Sept. 2 and Sept. 18. Expiration dates for the products range from between mid-November to the first week of December.

The affected products were sold in the following 27 states: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The Food and Drug Administration is aware of the recall, HP Hood said. The total number of products affected has not been released.

What should you do if you bought the milk affected by the recall? If you bought one of the Lactaid milk products, you can return it to the store you bought it from for a full refund or exchange it for another product.

Images | FDA (edited)

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