Understanding Recalls: What Almond Milk is Recalled in the US?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

Food recalls are a relatively common occurrence in the U.S., with the FDA and USDA overseeing hundreds each year. For those on plant-based diets, understanding recalls related to popular dairy alternatives is crucial, including staying informed on what almond milk is recalled in the US and why.

Quick Summary

This article explores recent and historical recalls involving almond milk and related products in the U.S., detailing specific brands, recall reasons, and how to verify product safety for consumers with allergies.

Key Points

September 2024 Lactaid Recall: HP Hood LLC recalled lactose-free dairy milk, not almond milk, for containing undeclared almonds due to potential cross-contamination.
August 2018 Almond Breeze Recall: Cartons of Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk were recalled because they contained undeclared cow's milk from a shared manufacturing facility.
Check Product Identifiers: Consumers must check specific lot codes, 'best by' dates, and UPCs listed in recall notices, not just the brand name, to identify affected products.
Know the Manufacturer: Many popular milk alternatives are produced by large dairy corporations, which can increase the risk of cross-contamination in shared facilities.
Stay Informed: Rely on official sources like the FDA for food safety alerts and, if necessary, return recalled products to the store for a refund.
Allergen Labeling Is Crucial: While regulations like FALCPA exist, some allergen statements are voluntary, making consumer vigilance even more important.

Navigating Food Safety in a Plant-Based World

With the growing popularity of plant-based eating, many consumers rely on products like almond milk as a dairy-free alternative for nutritional needs. These options are often chosen due to dietary restrictions, health preferences, or ethical considerations. However, the production of these products often happens in facilities that also handle dairy or other allergens, creating a potential for cross-contamination. Understanding food recalls and the regulatory systems in place to manage them, such as the oversight provided by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), is essential for consumer safety, especially for individuals with severe allergies.

The September 2024 Lactaid Recall Involving Undeclared Almonds

One of the most recent and significant recalls relevant to almond milk drinkers did not involve almond milk itself, but rather a dairy-based lactose-free product. In September 2024, HP Hood LLC recalled several varieties of its 96-ounce refrigerated Lactaid Milk cartons across 27 states due to the presence of undeclared almonds. This incident highlights a key food safety risk: cross-contact during manufacturing. The recall was initiated after routine maintenance discovered the potential for contamination, posing a life-threatening risk to individuals with almond allergies.

Recalled Lactaid varieties included:

Whole Milk
2% Milk
1% Milk
Fat-Free Milk
2% Calcium-Enriched Milk

All affected products carried the manufacturing code 51-4109 P2 and specific “best by” dates. Consumers who purchased these products were advised to return them for a full refund.

The 2018 Almond Breeze Recall Due to Undeclared Dairy

A notable historical incident involving a direct almond milk recall occurred in August 2018. HP Hood LLC voluntarily recalled more than 145,000 half-gallon cartons of refrigerated Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk. Ironically, the recall was initiated because the dairy-free product was found to be contaminated with undeclared cow's milk. This was a serious issue for consumers with dairy allergies, which can be severe or life-threatening. The manufacturer identified an employee error in a facility that also processes dairy milk as the cause of the contamination.

Details of the 2018 Almond Breeze recall:

Product: Refrigerated Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk, half-gallon cartons.
Use-by date: September 2, 2018.
Affected states: Distribution included 28 states, primarily in the South and Midwest.
Resolution: Consumers could return the product for a full refund or exchange.

Comparing Major Milk Product Recalls


Feature	September 2024 Lactaid Recall	August 2018 Almond Breeze Recall
Product Recalled	Lactaid (dairy milk)	Almond Breeze (almond milk)
Manufacturer	HP Hood LLC	HP Hood LLC
Undeclared Allergen	Almonds	Dairy milk
Scope	96-ounce cartons across 27 states	Half-gallon cartons across 28 states
Reason	Cross-contact identified during routine maintenance	Employee error in a shared facility
Severity	FDA Class I (serious health consequences)	FDA Class I (serious health consequences)
Key Identifier	Code 51-4109 P2 and specific 'best by' dates	UPC 41570 05621, Use-by date: SEP 02 18

Implications for Consumer Confidence and Allergen Labeling

These recall events, particularly the irony of an almond milk product containing dairy and a dairy product containing almonds, highlight the complexities of modern food manufacturing. For consumers with allergies, who depend on accurate product labeling for their safety, such incidents erode trust. The FDA's Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) mandates clear labeling of major allergens, but it's important to remember that 'advisory' statements like 'may contain' or 'processed in a shared facility' are not always required. This places a significant burden on manufacturers to maintain strict controls and on consumers to stay informed.

How to Protect Yourself from Contaminated Products

Check official sources: Regularly check the FDA's website for food safety alerts and recalls. This is the most reliable way to get accurate, up-to-date information.
Inspect labels and codes: When a recall is announced, don't just rely on the brand name. Check the specific UPC codes, lot numbers, and “best by” dates that are often listed in the recall notice to confirm if your product is affected.
Return recalled items: If you have an affected product, do not consume it. Return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund.
Know your brands: The manufacturing of many products is handled by large corporations like HP Hood. While this often means standardized processes, it can also lead to cross-contamination issues across different product lines. Be aware of the manufacturer behind your preferred brands.
Report reactions: If you or a family member experience an allergic reaction, report it to the FDA. This helps the agency track and manage food safety issues more effectively.

The Role of Nutrition in Your Diet: Beyond Recalls

While recalls require attention, they are a small piece of the larger nutrition diet picture. Almond milk, when free of contamination, can be a nutritious, low-calorie, and dairy-free option for many. It is often fortified with calcium and vitamins, which is particularly beneficial for those avoiding dairy. However, compared to whole almonds, it is lower in protein and fiber. As with any dietary choice, balance is key. These recalls serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance and staying informed about what we consume, especially for individuals with dietary restrictions or allergies.

Conclusion

Staying up-to-date on what almond milk is recalled in the US is vital for consumer safety, particularly for individuals with food allergies. While the recent high-profile recall involved a dairy product containing undeclared almonds, and a past recall involved almond milk containing dairy, both underscore the critical need for vigilant allergen management in food production. By following official recall alerts, inspecting product identifiers, and being aware of manufacturing complexities, consumers can make safer, more informed decisions about their nutrition diet.

Visit the FDA's Recall, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts page for the latest official information.

Frequently Asked Questions

While there have been recent dairy milk recalls involving undeclared almonds, the most prominent almond milk recall was in August 2018, when Blue Diamond's Almond Breeze was recalled for containing dairy milk.

In September 2024, HP Hood LLC voluntarily recalled several varieties of its Lactaid milk because they might contain undeclared almonds, a result of a potential cross-contact in the manufacturing facility.

Do not consume the product. Check the official FDA recall notice for the specific lot codes and 'best by' dates. If your product is affected, you can return it to the store of purchase for a full refund.

Check for official FDA or USDA recall alerts and compare the specific details provided, including the brand, product type, container size, UPC, and especially the lot codes and 'best by' dates.

Most recalls are for specific, contaminated batches and are resolved with corrective action. It is generally safe to consume almond milk from a brand that had a past recall, as long as it's not from an affected batch and you are up-to-date on current recall information. Manufacturers typically implement new safeguards to prevent repeat issues.

The FDA oversees recalls for a wide range of food products and posts official recall notices on its website. They monitor manufacturers' voluntary recalls and issue safety alerts to protect public health from contaminated products.

While major allergens must be declared under the FALCPA, claims like 'allergy-friendly' are not strictly regulated by the FDA. Advisory statements like 'may contain' are also often voluntary. This means consumers with severe allergies should always be cautious.