Nearly 80,000 pounds of butter are being recalled because of potential allergy claims missing from packaging, in an incident that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was ranked as the second high risk level.

Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC voluntarily initiated a recall of two butter products on October 11: Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter and Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter, both 16 oz packages containing four sticks of butter.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, the FDA classified this recall as a Class II, meaning: “a situation in which use or exposure to an infringing product may cause temporary or reversible adverse medical consequences, or in which the likelihood of adverse consequences serious health risks is the remote control.”

The butter was distributed and sold in Texas, where Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest is based.

For both products, the packaging lists cream as an ingredient, but the allergen statement: “Contains milk” may be missing.

This recall applies to 46,800 pounds of unsalted butter and 32,400 pounds of salted butter with expiration dates between February 22, 2025 and March 23, 2025.

Newsweek has reached out to Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC for comment via its online email form.

Milk is one of the eight major allergens. It is especially common among children and usually occurs immediately after drinking milk.

Symptoms can be mild or severe, including digestive problems, itching around the mouth, vomiting, wheezing, hives, swelling of the lips or throat, runny nose or watery eyes.

In some cases, milk allergies can cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction involving constriction of the airways, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.

In the case of anaphylaxis, it is important to give an epinephrine injection, such as with an Epi-pen, and go to the emergency room.

Other people who are not allergic to milk may still be intolerant, in which case a non-immune reaction can cause digestive problems such as gas, bloating or diarrhea after eating foods containing milk.

However, while there are potential serious consequences for someone with a milk allergy who consumes the recalled butter, the FDA’s classification means that “the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” presumably because it is well known that the butter contains milk.

Other recent withdrawals include ice cream that can cause allergic reactions, cinnamon which may contain lead and soft cheeses that could be contaminated with listeria.

Got a tip for a food story? Newsweek should cover? Is there a nutritional issue you are concerned about? Let us know by [email protected]. We can ask for expert advice and your story could be featured in Newsweek.