Hartford Bakery, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of specific lots of its "Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf" bread. This urgent action comes after the discovery of undeclared hazelnuts within the product, posing a significant and potentially life-threatening health risk to individuals with nut allergies. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this as a Class I recall, its most serious category, indicating a reasonable probability that consuming the product could lead to serious adverse health consequences or even death.
The recall specifically affects six production lots of the "Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf," which were found to contain visible hazelnuts. The affected product is sold in a flexible plastic bag with a net weight of 12 ounces (340g) and UPC 24126018152. Consumers should look for the following lot codes printed on the front panel of the packaging: T10 174010206, T10 174010306, T10 174010406, T10 174020206, T10 174020306, and T10 174020406. The expiration date for these affected loaves is July 13, 2025. Hartford Bakery has confirmed that no other lot codes or products are impacted by this recall.
The recalled bread was widely distributed across 12 states, making it crucial for consumers in these regions to check their pantries. The affected states include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Major retailers such as Kroger and Walmart carried the affected product, as confirmed by both the WKRC and FDA announcements.
The recall was initiated after the discovery that approximately 883 loaves of bread from the six implicated production lots contained visible hazelnuts. An investigation revealed a critical packaging error: the packaging intended for a hazelnut-containing bread was mistakenly used for the white bread product. While the packaging did include a general "May Contain Tree Nuts" statement, it failed to specifically declare "Contains Hazelnuts," which is a vital distinction for individuals with severe hazelnut allergies.
For individuals with a nut allergy or severe sensitivity to hazelnuts, consumption of this product could lead to serious or life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. While Hartford Bakery has reported no major injuries or illnesses to date, the company is aware of one customer who experienced digestive discomfort after consuming the product. Additionally, several consumers reported noticing the nuts before consumption, leading to complaints that initiated the investigation, as detailed by CBS News.
Consumers who have purchased the "Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf" with the specified lot codes are strongly urged not to consume the product, even if they do not visibly see nuts. Instead, they should return the affected bread to the place of purchase for a full refund. For any questions or further information, consumers can contact Hartford Bakery directly at 1-812-425-4642. The customer service line is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CST, excluding holidays.
This incident serves as a vital reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to food product labels, especially for those managing food allergies. Even seemingly innocuous products or familiar brands can pose risks due to unforeseen errors in production or packaging. Consumers are encouraged to stay informed about food recalls through official channels like the FDA website and retailer announcements to ensure the safety of their households.
