Butter Lovers, Listen Up!
Hold the butter! The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just announced a wholesale recall of more than 64,000 pounds of butter—and not just any butter, either. It’s the NH European Style Butter Blend product made by Bunge North America, and the reason why isn’t a laughing matter.
This delicious spread, maybe full of unsuspecting milk allergens, is unsafe for milk-allergic individuals. So if you recently purchased a butterscotch mix full of goodness to bake, cook, or spread on everything from corn on the cob to fresh bread—read before you spread!
On July 14, the FDA said 1,800 cases of NH European Style Butter Blend were recalled. There were 36 blocks of butter in each case, and they’d been distributed to 12 centres in the United States and one in the Dominican Republic.
That’s a total of an astonishing 64,800 pounds of contaminated product.
Through July 31, the FDA had escalated the issue to a Class II recall—i.e., the butter has the potential to have transitory or medically reversible adverse health consequences. Translation: While it’s not a reason for alarm, it’s also important to exercise caution.
The allergen issue: Undeclared milk
Here’s the problem: milk, an allergen, was not properly declared on the label of this butter blend.
Well, now that is ironic—because, of course, butter is traditionally made from milk. But regulations on food are high, particularly over the identification of allergens. And this is a mixture, so its ingredients won’t always be as you’d assume.
Individuals with milk allergies or lactose intolerance rely on good labelling in order to have the ability to make safe decisions. Unlabelled milk may result in symptoms from mild upset stomach to potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
Whether you or a family member avoids dairy for health reasons, this is important.
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Where did they ship the butter?
The contaminated butter mix was shipped to 12-state distribution facilities (FDA wouldn’t say where) and one facility in the Dominican Republic. Who knows? It could have then found its way into the local food service chains, bakeries, restaurants, and maybe even grocery stores.
So if you’ve purchased bulk butter in the past week—or are a commercial kitchen—check your inventory pronto.
These are the infected batches
- Product name: NH European Style Butter Blend
- Company: Bunge North America
- UPC Code: 1 00 78684 73961 2
- Lot Code: 5064036503
- Packaging: White paperboard cases, packed with 36 butter blocks each
If you possess this product, you must stop using it immediately and call Bunge North America or your distributor for instructions about returning or disposing of the product.
Who is Bunge North America
Bunge North America, headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, is a big food ingredient business. They do not only butter people but also sell corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, and feed peas to most of the big food manufacturers and restaurants.
The business hasn’t made any public announcement on recalling butter, yet the FDA has already mentioned the issue and listed it in its official list of recalls.
Why you should take this seriously (Even if you are not allergic)
Okay, okay, if you’re not milk-allergic, it’s maybe easy enough to brush this off. But food recalls preserve the integrity of the supply chain, and undeclared allergens rank among the leading reasons for emergency room visits for food.
Also, if this butter ever ends up in restaurants, it can inadvertently be served to a person with a life-threatening allergy.
Short and sweet: read your labels, spread the word (not butter), and keep others safe.
FAQs about the butter recall
Q: What is being recalled
A: NH European Style Butter Blend from Bunge North America. It was packaged in white paperboard cases, each holding 36 butter blocks.
Q: How much butter is affected
A: 64,800 pounds or 1,800 cases.
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Q: What codes do I look for
A: UPC code: 1 00 78684 73961 2
Lot code: 5064036503
Q: Why is milk an issue in butter? Isn’t that the norm
A: Yes, normally—but this is a butter blend. It may contain additional ingredients and processes. At least federal law requires clear allergen labelling, and this product didn’t contain milk as an ingredient.
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Q: What is the health response to it
A: Individuals with milk allergies can react with hives, stomach upset, swelling, or anaphylaxis in the worst cases.
Q: What do I do if I have this butter in my fridge
A: Don’t consume it. Obtain a return shipping notice from the seller or distributor, or safely dispose of it.
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Q: Is this butter found at the typical grocery store
A: To our knowledge, no. The FDA reported it was shipped to distribution facilities, and those can be food service restaurants, bulk distributors, or commercial food preparers. But maybe some did make it into retail, so look at your package.
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Q: Has anyone become ill yet
A: At least not yet. So far, up to this point in time, there have been no reported illnesses related to this recall. But the FDA is still monitoring it.
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Q: Whom do I call for more information
A: There isn’t a specific consumer hotline established by Bunge North America, but you can stay informed on the FDA’s [official recall page](https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts).
Cleaning up safely
- If you’ve already opened the butter and have used it on surfaces or in communal dishes:
- Sterilise all of the utensils, surfaces, and containers that the butter came into contact with.
- Alert other people in your household or workplace if there is a dairy allergy.
If you are a food business, alert your staff at once and withdraw all of the affected product from sale.
Be safe and spread the word
Not all food recalls make the headlines—but this one stands out. 64,800 pounds of butter might be a drop in the (dairy) bucket, but for victims of allergy, it’s a real threat.
So whether you’re a home cook, a cafe owner, or just someone who happens to love their breakfast toast, it’s always best to be aware.
So double-check your fridge, warn your foodie friends, and look twice—even a simple butter mix is worth a double glance.
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Keep it safe. Keep it buttery.
