I just wanted to let you know about something important, especially if you or a family member has a nut allergy. A popular type of artisan bread on the store shelves at big box stores like Kroger and Walmart is being recalled.
Hartford Bakery of West Hartford, Connecticut, is voluntarily recalling its Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf because it may contain hazelnuts that are not labeled on the product label.
Also, this is just terrible news for anyone with nut allergies. While the package states “May Contain Tree Nuts,” it does not state that it contains hazelnuts, which, yes, it does.
The bakery said they’re doing it as a matter of excess caution, which is preferable to letting someone become seriously ill.
Which bread is affected?
This is what to check if you have a recalled loaf:
- Product name: Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf
- Weight: 12 oz (340 grams)
- UPC: 24126018152
- Expiration date: July 13, 2025 (on the front panel)
Lot codes:
- T10 174010206
- T10 174010306
- T10 174010406
- T10 174020206
- T10 174020306
- T10 174020406
The lot code is located on the front panel and the UPC on the bottom of the bag.
Where was it sold?
The bread was sold in retail stores located in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
So if you’re shopping at Kroger or Walmart in any of those places, it’s definitely worth checking out your bread!
Has anyone gotten sick?
So far, there’s been no serious illness to report. The FDA said that one individual had experienced digestive discomfort, and a few people recognized the nuts before they ate them.
But better safe than sorry. If you do happen to have this bread and you have a guest or resident with you who has a nut allergy, don’t risk it.
How did this happen?
Hartford Bakery investigated and found that 883 loaves of six batches of bread had visible hazelnuts. This was a packaging mistake. The bread was put into packages that did not list hazelnuts as an ingredient.
That’s why the recall happened—and why you may want to check out your loaf.
If you do have the bread and it has the same lot numbers or UPC, do not eat it, especially if you have a member of your family with nut allergies. You can throw it away or take it back to the store where you bought it.
And if you need help deciding what to do next, I can help with that, too.
Be well!
