Flowers Foods is pulling Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread in five states because the label leaves off milk, a mistake that can put a person with a milk allergy in danger.
Story Snapshot
- Flowers Foods announced the recall on Friday, October 2, over milk that is not listed on the label.
- The bread was sold in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- The company found the error during a review of its production records.
- No illnesses have been reported; the bread should be thrown away or returned for a full refund.
What Is Being Recalled
The recall covers two Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread products: the 20-ounce bag (UPC 0 72250 91662 2) and the 40-ounce two-pack (UPC 0 72250 00683 5). A UPC is the barcode number printed on the package. The 20-ounce bags carry best-by dates from October 8 through October 18, 2026, and the company notice lists the exact product codes to match. The notice does not list best-by dates for the two-pack, so check the barcode on that one.
Federal law requires milk to be named on a label because it is one of the major food allergens. Flowers Foods said certain packages did not declare milk as an ingredient. The company said it found the problem during a review of production records. No illnesses have been reported so far.
What Milk Can Do to Someone Who Is Allergic
A milk allergy means the body treats milk protein as a threat. Even a small amount can set off a reaction. Mild reactions include hives, an itchy mouth, or stomach pain. A serious reaction can cause swelling of the lips and throat, trouble breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. That kind of reaction is an emergency.
The label is how a family with a milk allergy knows a loaf is safe. When milk is missing from it, a parent or a person with the allergy has no way to tell from the bag. That is why the company is warning customers instead of waiting for someone to get sick. The company says people with a milk allergy or sensitivity should not eat this bread.
What to Do If You Have It
Look at the bag in your kitchen. If it is one of the two sizes above, with a matching UPC and, on the 20-ounce bag, a best-by date in the recall range, do not eat it. The company says to throw the bread away or return it to the store where it was bought for a full refund. If anyone has eaten it and has a reaction, call a doctor or seek emergency care right away.
The recall stays in force because best-by dates run through October 18, so some of this bread may still be in homes and on shelves in the five states. Questions can go to Flowers Foods Consumer Relations at 1-866-245-8921, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, or through the company’s website.
Why Label Checks Matter
A recall like this does not mean the bread is spoiled or carries germs. For most people it is the same bread they have always bought. The risk is only for those who must avoid milk, and the label is their one line of defense. Companies catch many of these errors by checking their own records, as Flowers Foods says it did here, and then tell shoppers what to look for.
If someone in your home has a milk allergy, it is worth checking the pantry, the freezer, and any bread you bought for lunches. Keep your receipt and a photo of the bag if you plan to ask for a refund.
Sources:
prnewswire.com, flowersfoods.com, stocktitan.net
