Butter recall alert: Hidden milk allergen puts kids at risk

Butter recall issued after allergen warning—what parents need to know

Credit: Canva / Motherly

Bunge North America has voluntarily recalled more than 64,000 pounds of its NH European Style Butter Blend after discovering the product contained an undeclared milk allergen

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When you’re parenting a child with food allergies, label-reading becomes second nature. One missed ingredient, especially one as common as milk, can turn a regular meal into an emergency. That’s why a new butter recall is raising alarms for families across the country.

Bunge North America has voluntarily recalled more than 64,000 pounds of its NH European Style Butter Blend after discovering the product contained an undeclared milk allergen. While the recall hasn’t made headlines in many places and no public press release has been issued, the potential risk is very real, particularly for children with dairy allergies.

Here’s what parents need to know.

What product was recalled?

The recall involves NH European Style Butter Blend, manufactured by Bunge North America. The company issued the voluntary recall on July 14, 2025, after discovering the presence of an undeclared milk allergen in the product.

Here are the key details to help identify the affected butter:

Product name: NH European Style Butter Blend
Packaging: White paperboard cases, each containing 36 blocks of butter
Product code: 5023937
UPC: 1 00 78684 73961 2
Lot code: 5064036503

If you think this product might be in your fridge or freezer, now’s the time to check.

Why was the butter recalled?

The issue comes down to a potentially dangerous labeling error. The butter contained milk, one of the top nine major food allergens, but the label didn’t disclose it. Under FDA law, all packaged foods must clearly list these allergens to help protect consumers with serious sensitivities.

Because of this mistake, the FDA classified the incident as a Class II recall, meaning the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects. While not as severe as a Class I recall, which signals immediate danger, the implications are still significant, especially for young children and anyone with a dairy allergy.

Even small traces of milk can cause reactions ranging from stomach pain and rashes to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response.

What’s the risk for kids with food allergies?

For children with dairy allergies, even the smallest amount of milk protein can trigger a serious immune response. While some reactions are mild: itchiness, hives, or nausea, others can escalate quickly into anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

According to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

Trouble breathing
Hives or swelling
Tightness of the throat
Hoarse voice
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dizziness/ Fainting
Low blood pressure
Rapid heart beat

Without fast intervention, often an epinephrine injection, anaphylaxis can be fatal.

This is why undeclared allergens are so dangerous, particularly in foods that might be used in shared meals, school lunches, or restaurant kitchens. Many parents rely on clear labeling to keep their children safe, and when that system breaks down, the risk is real.

Where was the product distributed?

While the company hasn’t released a full list of retail locations, the FDA confirmed that the recalled butter was distributed through 12 distribution centers across the U.S. and one in the Dominican Republic.

The butter has been listed on platforms like Amazon and Food Service Direct, which serve both individual consumers and commercial kitchens. That means it could have made its way into commercial kitchens or childcare settings without parents ever seeing the original packaging.

If your child has a milk allergy and recently ate outside the home, whether at daycare, summer camp, or a family gathering, this recall is worth noting.

What should you do if you have the recalled butter?

If you think this product might be in your home, take a moment to double-check the label. Look for the following identifiers:

NH European Style Butter Blend
Product code: 5023937
UPC: 1 00 78684 73961 2
Lot code: 5064036503

The FDA advises consumers not to eat, serve, or donate recalled products. Instead, you can typically return them to the store where they were purchased, even without a receipt. If you bought it online, check with the retailer’s customer service team.

Unfortunately, no public press release has been issued for this recall, and no direct instructions were shared with consumers, leaving many families unaware of the potential risk. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact Bunge North America through the form on their website.

And if your child shows any signs of an allergic reaction, especially trouble breathing or swelling, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.

This recall is a wake-up call

Most families will never look twice at the ingredients on a stick of butter, but for parents of children with food allergies, that label can mean the difference between safety and crisis.

This recall is a powerful reminder that labeling matters, and that even trusted products can slip through the cracks. Without a formal press release or widespread media coverage, it’s likely many parents won’t hear about this one at all.

If your family manages a food allergy:

Consider signing up for FDA food recall alerts
Teach older kids how to check packaging for allergens
Advocate for better food labeling and transparency in public spaces

And if your child doesn’t have allergies, this is still a moment to build awareness. Because whether it’s a school lunch swap, a shared snack at playgroup, or a birthday treat at daycare, someone else’s safety may depend on it.

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Health & Wellness, Baby, Baby Health, Children's Health, Parenting