Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC is conducting a voluntary recall of certain lots of its Dark Chocolate Covered Macadamias that were shipped throughout 16 states in the U.S. and Guam due to undeclared cashews and almonds. The recall, initiated on April 26, 2025, includes 0.6-ounce and 4-ounce sizes bearing the Mauna Loa brand name. The recalled products pose a serious risk of allergic reaction to consumers with undeclared nut sensitivity. No illness has been reported, but the company encourages affected consumers to take prompt action.
Affected products and lots
Recall is being conducted on two various product sizes with different label information. The 0.6-ounce size includes UPC number 0 72992 05464 4, lot numbers K5069C1 and K5069C2, and the best-by date of October 2026. The 4-ounce size includes UPC number 0 72992 05556 6, lot numbers B4339E1 and B4340E1, and the best-by date of July 2026. They were shipped to Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Guam retail locations.
Reason for recall
The recall is because of an in-house quality control check that found almonds and cashews in the dark chocolate coating, undeclared ingredients in the labeling. The contamination was attributed to a third-party co-manufacturer handling the batch in question. Mauna Loa underscored that the failure was found early, leading to swift containment actions and warnings to distributors, retailers, and the FDA. Unlisted tree nuts such as almonds and cashews pose a potentially life-threatening risk to people who are allergic to them, and stringent labeling requirements under FDA regulation are called for.
Consumer advice and safety precautions
Consumers with an almond or cashew allergy should exchange or discard the involved products at the store for refund. Uncertain consumers who are wondering whether their product is being recalled can look at the UPC codes, lot numbers, and best-by dates printed on containers. Mauna Loa set up a customer service hotline (1-888-255-5998) for questions, Monday through Friday. No side effects have been reported to date, although the company cautions to be alert in light of the long time it took to respond to severe allergy reactions.
Company response and corrective actions
In a public announcement, Mauna Loa apologized for the inconvenience and reiterated its commitment to product safety. The company has stopped doing business with the third-party manufacturer that caused the labeling mistake and put into place stronger supplier monitoring procedures. Mauna Loa is also working with the FDA to have its allergen control plans reviewed to bring about future compliance with federal labeling requirements. This is the second 2025 recall by the company after a February recall of macadamia nut pouches because they contained undeclared almonds.
Additional broader implications to food safety
This recall highlights ongoing difficulties in avoiding allergen cross-contact in multi-ingredient supply chains. The FDA categorizes such recalls as Class I, or high risk of serious health effects. For perspective, a different December 2024 recall by Cal Yee Farm LLC included chocolate-coated treats with undeclared milk, soy, and almonds in nine states. These events highlight the necessity that manufacturers audit co-packers thoroughly and ensure labeling accuracy, especially in foods containing common allergens.
Mauna Loa recall reminds consumers to always verify product labels, particularly food allergy ones. Firms need to be keen on open communication during recalls and spend on quality assurance systems in order to avoid such pitfalls. Affected consumers need to follow return procedures and keep their health under check for signs of allergic symptoms and consult a doctor right away if required.
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