Hartford Bakery, Inc. Initiates Recall of Bread Due to Mislabeling Hazards

Hartford Bakery, Inc. has initiated a recall for a large number of its “Lewis Bake Shop Artisan Style 1/2 Loaf” bread. The reason is the potential presence of hazelnuts that were not listed as an ingredient, according to a release shared by the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall is critical as individuals with an allergy or acute sensitivity to hazelnuts might face serious, even life-threatening reactions if they consume the affected bread, per the FDA statement released on Thursday.

Although the company has not received reports of severe health incidents, they acknowledge that one consumer did experience digestive issues post-consumption. Additionally, some consumers reported noticing the nuts before eating the bread.

The bread packaging mentions the possible presence of tree nuts but fails to specifically highlight hazelnuts. The recall encompasses roughly 883 artisan loaves spanning six specific production lots.

Sales locations for the recalled artisan loaves include major retail chains such as Kroger and Walmart, stationed across states including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Identification of the products in question is possible through details on the packaging. Those who've purchased the bread are advised to return it for a full reimbursement.

Hartford Bakery clarified that the recall is restricted to the identified lot numbers, and efforts are underway to withdraw these from store shelves promptly.

For further guidance, consumers are encouraged to follow the instructions provided by their point of purchase regarding returns and refunds.