FDA upgrades butter recall alert to a higher level

(NewsNation) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated a recent nationwide recall of 64,800 pounds of butter to a higher risk level.

The risk classification for one of Bunge North America Inc.'s butter products was raised to Class II, which is the second highest warning level, due to an ingredient not listed on the food packaging: milk.

Milk is one of nine major food allergens, according to U.S. food safety laws, along with eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame seeds. According to the FDA, manufacturers are required to declare the name of the food source of a major food allergen.

The FDA did not say whether anyone had been adversely affected in connection with the recall.

In a July 14 report, the FDA said more than 1,800 cases of the NH European Style Butter Blend were distributed at 12 centers across the U.S. and one in the Dominican Republic. The lot code number for the butter is 5064036503.

According to the FDA's website, a Class II recall indicates "a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

Nexstar's NewsNation has reached out to Bunge North America for comment.

Bunge North America Inc., based in Chesterfield, Missouri, is an agribusiness and food ingredient company that also produces corn, wheat, rice, soybeans and feed peas, among other items.