RECALL UPDATE : FDA Issues New Serious Risk Level for Nationwide Waffle Cone Recall

According to Newsweek , Hammond’s Candies, based in Colorado, has expanded its recall of Dark Chocolate Filled Mini Waffle Cones after a consumer reported an allergic reaction to milk, which was not listed as an allergen on the product’s label. The company initiated the recall on August 30, following the incident, and subsequent testing confirmed the presence of milk in the product, which should have been declared as an allergen.

The products affected by the recall were labeled to include allergens such as wheat, soy, and tree nuts (coconut), and also stated that the product was packaged in a facility that processes milk, egg, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soy, sulfites, tree nuts, and wheat. However, testing revealed that the products contained more than trace amounts of milk, which led to the inclusion of milk as an undeclared allergen.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized the recall as a Class II risk, meaning that while exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects, the probability of serious consequences is considered remote. As of November 1, the recall includes nearly 30,000 units of the affected products, which were sold in 38 states across the U.S. and Washington D.C.

The recalled Dark Chocolate Filled Mini Waffle Cones were packaged in 4oz stand-up resealable pouches and carry the product code “6 91355 90513 5.” The affected products have one of three lot numbers:

• LN0525453 with “use by” dates from October 3, 2024, to May 20, 2025
• LN0524629 with “use by” dates of November 14, 2024, or December 14, 2024
• LN0525155 with “use by” dates of January 1, 2025, January 7, 2025, or March 1, 2025

Consumers who purchased these products are urged to return them for a refund. No additional allergic reactions have been reported, and Hammond’s Candies continues to investigate how milk contamination occurred.

Milk is one of the eight major allergens in the U.S., alongside eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. Allergic reactions to milk can range from mild symptoms such as itching, swelling, digestive distress, and skin rashes, to severe cases of anaphylaxis, which can cause difficulty breathing, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. In such severe cases, immediate treatment with an EpiPen and emergency medical help is required.

This recall is part of a broader trend of recent food recalls, including products contaminated with listeria, allergens, and even foreign objects like glass.