Muffin Recall Sparks Nationwide Warning

Chocolate chip muffins are pictured in this undated file photo. A recall for 4-packs of Aldi "Bakeshop" chocolate chip muffins sold at U.S. stores was initiated this week due to the presence of undeclared walnuts.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning Americans that an undeclared ingredient in muffins sold nationwide could trigger dangerous allergic reactions.

A voluntary recall announcement shared to the FDA website on Wednesday warns consumers that Aldi "Bakeshop Bakery" brand chocolate chip muffins sold at U.S. Aldi supermarkets may contain walnuts, despite the ingredient not being listed on packaging.

While the inclusion of unexpected walnuts may not prompt any serious health concerns for many consumers, the ingredient could cause the potentially fatal condition of anaphylaxis in those who have a related allergy.

"People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Walnut run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products," the recall announcement states.

The recall applies to 11,830 cases of four-count packages of Aldi "Bakeshop Bakery" chocolate chip muffins produced by FGF Brands Inc. of Toronto, Canada.

The company said the affected products come "in a clear plastic clamshell containing 4 muffins and has a red label" with the lot number "NF1 142Y" on the top and the UPC code "4099100048278" on the label.

While no illnesses associated with the recall had been reported at the time of publication, customers who purchased the muffins were "urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund." Those with questions can contact the company via email at [email protected].

FGF Brands said that an investigation launched after walnuts were discovered in the muffins, which "indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's production and packaging processes."

Production of the recalled muffins has been paused until "the FDA and the company are certain that the problem has been corrected."

Newsweek reached out for comment to FGF Brands via email on Wednesday night.

Last year, Connecticut-based supermarket chain Stew Leonard's recalled packages of its Florentine cookies following the allergy-induced death of a woman who ate the cookies without realizing that they contained peanuts.

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy that should never have happened," Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement at the time. "Our condolences go out to the family affected by this incident."

Plastic tubs of "Deluxe Roasted and Salted Mixed Nuts" sold by delivery service "Farm Fresh to You" were recalled earlier this week over concerns that the packages contained peanuts that were not listed on the label.

Federal food labeling laws, which are enforced by the FDA, require that packaged food is specifically labeled when it contains a "major food allergen."

The following eight ingredients, which account for 90 percent of serious allergic reactions in the U.S., are considered major food allergens by the FDA: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

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