64,800 Pounds Of Butter Recalled: 5 Shocking Facts About The Bunge North America Allergen Scare

The latest food safety alert has put a spotlight on a major recall initiated by Bunge North America Inc. As of December 12, 2025, consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and pantries following the voluntary recall of a massive quantity of butter blend product due to a critical labeling error. This incident, which began in mid-July 2025, involves an undeclared milk allergen, posing a significant, potentially life-threatening risk to individuals with dairy allergies. The sheer volume of the recalled product—over 64,000 pounds—highlights the far-reaching consequences of a single oversight in the complex world of food manufacturing and distribution. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has since elevated the classification of this incident, underscoring the severity of the threat posed by this undeclared ingredient. This comprehensive guide provides every essential detail, from the specific product codes to the corporate context of Bunge North America, ensuring you have the most current and actionable information to protect your family and understand the gravity of a nationwide food recall.

The Critical Details: Bunge's 64,800-Pound Butter Recall

The voluntary recall by Bunge North America Inc. is not a minor incident; it represents a substantial food safety event that has garnered a Class II classification from the FDA. This classification is reserved for situations where a product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. However, for the millions of Americans with a severe milk allergy, the risk is anything but remote.

The Timeline and Scope of the Recall

The initial action was taken by Bunge North America Inc., a major agribusiness and food ingredient company based in Chesterfield, Missouri, on July 14, 2025. The company voluntarily initiated the withdrawal of the product from the market after discovering a critical labeling failure: the product contained a milk ingredient that was not declared on the packaging. * Recalling Company: Bunge North America Inc. * Product Recalled: NH European Style Butter Blend. * Total Quantity: An estimated 64,800 pounds of product. * Packaging: 1,800 cases were initially recalled. * Reason for Recall: Undeclared milk allergen. * Distribution: The affected butter blend was distributed nationwide across the United States, as well as internationally to the Dominican Republic. * FDA Elevation: The FDA reclassified the event as a Class II recall on July 30, 2025, emphasizing the potential for adverse health effects. This massive recall underscores the vulnerability of the food supply chain, where a single error in ingredient sourcing or label printing can affect thousands of consumers across multiple countries. The "NH European Style Butter Blend" is an industrial or foodservice product, meaning it was likely distributed to restaurants, bakeries, or other food manufacturers, compounding the difficulty of tracking and removing all affected units from the market.

Bunge North America: A Corporate Profile

Bunge North America Inc. is a subsidiary of Bunge Limited, a global leader in agribusiness, food, and ingredients. The company plays a crucial role in the global food supply chain, operating in areas such as oilseed processing, grain handling, and the production of edible oils and food ingredients. Their vast operation means that any recall, even on a single product line like the European Style Butter Blend, has a significant ripple effect. The company's headquarters are in Chesterfield, Missouri, from where they manage their extensive distribution network. The incident serves as a sharp reminder that even the most established and sophisticated food corporations are susceptible to the risks inherent in large-scale food production.

Why an Undeclared Allergen Triggers a Class II FDA Warning

The FDA's classification system for recalls is designed to communicate the level of health risk to the public. Understanding the difference between a Class I, Class II, and Class III recall is essential for grasping the seriousness of the Bunge incident. * Class I Recall: The most serious. Involves a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. * Class II Recall (Bunge's Classification): The current classification for the NH European Style Butter Blend. This means the product *may* cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. * Class III Recall: Involves a product that is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. The elevation to a Class II recall for the Bunge product is specifically due to the presence of an undeclared milk allergen. Milk is one of the "Big Nine" major food allergens, which are responsible for the vast majority of serious allergic reactions in the United States.

The Danger of Undeclared Milk

For the general population, the undeclared milk in the "European Style Butter Blend" is a non-issue. For individuals with a milk allergy, however, ingesting the product can lead to a severe, potentially fatal reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to milk can include: * Hives, itching, or eczema. * Wheezing, nasal congestion, or difficulty breathing. * Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. * Anaphylaxis: a life-threatening constriction of the airways, rapid pulse, and shock. The recall is a preventative measure to ensure that this mislabeled product does not reach a vulnerable consumer. The failure to declare the allergen on the label is a serious violation of food labeling laws, which are in place precisely to protect the public health from such risks. The FDA's firm stance on this issue highlights the zero-tolerance policy for mislabeling major food allergens.

Consumer Action Guide: Identifying and Returning the Affected Butter Blend

If you are a consumer, or more likely, a business (such as a bakery, restaurant, or catering service) that uses large quantities of butter blends, it is imperative to immediately check your inventory for the recalled product. Due to the product's industrial nature, it may have been incorporated into other prepared foods, making the trace-back process a complex endeavor in the name of food safety.

How to Identify the Recalled Product

While specific lot codes were not universally disclosed in initial public reports, the key identifier is the product name and the distributor. 1. Check the Product Name: Look for "NH European Style Butter Blend." 2. Verify the Supplier: The product must be traceable back to Bunge North America Inc. 3. Inspect Labeling: Any product matching the description that does not explicitly list milk as an ingredient should be treated as suspect and isolated. It is highly recommended that businesses contact their distributor or Bunge directly to cross-reference any product they have received with the official list of affected batch codes. This is a critical step in maintaining topical authority on food safety practices within the commercial sector.

Immediate Steps for Businesses and Consumers

The FDA and Bunge North America have issued clear instructions for handling the recalled product: 1. Do Not Consume or Use: If you have the NH European Style Butter Blend, do not use it in any food preparation or consume it. This is the single most important consumer safety guide rule. 2. Isolate the Product: Immediately segregate the product from all other food items to prevent cross-contamination. 3. Contact for Refund/Disposal: Contact Bunge North America Inc. or the place of purchase for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund or proper disposal. This ensures the product is safely removed from the food supply chain. 4. Monitor for Symptoms: If you or someone you know has consumed a product that may have contained the affected butter blend and are experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention. The vast scale of the 64,800 pounds of butter recall serves as a constant reminder of the vigilance required by both manufacturers and consumers. This event provides a valuable case study in the importance of rigorous quality control and accurate food allergen labeling to prevent serious public health incidents. The swift, though delayed, elevation to a Class II status by the FDA underscores the potential severity of the risk, particularly for vulnerable populations. By following the recommended steps, the public can help ensure the effective removal of this mislabeled product from the market.