A Colorado food company has pulled a batch of bread crumbs from store shelves and online sales due to the presence of undeclared eggs and milk. The recall follows a packaging mishap that may pose serious risks to people with food allergies, federal officials say.
A voluntary recall has been issued across the United States for an 8-ounce package of bread crumbs manufactured by Outside The Breadbox, a Colorado-based company. The action was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the discovery of two major allergens, eggs and milk, not listed on the product’s label.
The issue stems from a temporary breakdown in the company’s packaging and production processes. While no illnesses have been reported as of January 12, the recall highlights how a labeling error can have serious public health implications, especially for people living with food allergies.
Labeling Oversight Prompts Federal Response
The affected product, Bread Crumbs in 8-ounce clear stand-up pouches with a UPC code of 8738 9900 1554 and an expiration date of May 20, 2026, was sold both in Colorado retail stores and online across the United States, according to the FDA. The error was discovered when a routine review revealed that the packaging failed to list milk and eggs among its ingredients.
According to the FDA, the company determined that the mislabeling was an isolated event tied to a single day of production. The agency described the cause as a “temporary breakdown” in packaging and production, leading to the omission of allergen disclosures required by law. The recall was initiated immediately after the problem came to light.
Eggs and milk are among the nine major allergens that must be declared on food labels under federal law. Others include peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame, fish, crustacean shellfish, and tree nuts. The FDA warns that allergic reactions to such ingredients can vary in severity, ranging from mild symptoms like hives or swelling to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis.
Growing Concern over Food Allergy Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed rising concern about the public health impact of food allergies. According to the CDC, an estimated one in 13 children in the U.S, about two per classroom, is affected by food allergies. Nearly 40 percent of these children have visited an emergency department due to severe reactions, often linked to accidental exposure.
The FDA has echoed the importance of proper labeling, noting that food allergies affect millions of Americans. “People with food allergies should read labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to,” the agency states. “The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food.”
Consumers who purchased the recalled product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For additional questions, the company has made itself available via telephone at 1-719-633-3434.
The recall remains active as the company works with the FDA to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. According to the agency, the event appears to be an isolated production error and no related health issues have been reported to date.
