Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias recall: Undeclared almonds

Recall published 1+ years ago

Undeclared almonds

Mauna Loa Dairy — recalled dairyMauna Loa Dairy — recalled dairy (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared milk

This recall is a labelling failure: milk is present and the label does not say so. That is harmless to most households and genuinely dangerous to a few.

What the notice says: Consumers who have allergies to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

Why it matters: The label does not declare milk, so anyone who reads labels to avoid it has no way of knowing it is in there. For people without that allergy the product is safe to eat.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
February 15, 2025
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Mauna Loa
Product type
Dairy
Distribution
California
UPC codes
072992042603
Reports of harm
No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date, in connection with this issue.

Products covered by this recall

Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias

What the company announced

February 15, 2025, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC of Kea’au, HI is voluntarily recalling one batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen. Consumers who have allergies to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The recalled Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches were distributed to two retail locations in Southern California. The two retailers include World Market and Abraham & Sons, Inc.

The product is packaged in a 1 oz pouch, with UPC 0 72992 04260 3, marked with lot number K4351 and best by date 07 2026 on the back of the packaging.

No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date, in connection with this issue.

The recall was initiated after Mauna Loa’s internal quality control process identified that the affected batch, manufactured by a third-party co-manufacturer, contained undeclared almonds. Immediate action was taken to contain the affected product, notify the third-party co-manufacturer, alert consumers and distributors, and report the issue to the FDA.

Consumers who have purchased the affected Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches and have an almond allergy are urged not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Customer Service at 1-888-255-5998, Monday through Friday.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality in our products.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 4 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 072992042603

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • K4351

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 07 2026

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 1 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Milk

Mauna Loa — This recall is a labelling failure: milk is present and the label does not say so. That is harmless to most households and genuinely dangerous to a few.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids milk, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. Keep the pack if you want a refund, or photograph the label and the lot code and then bin it. If nobody in the house avoids milk, you may simply eat it — the recall is about disclosure, not spoilage.
  3. Make sure the household epinephrine auto-injector is where it should be and in date, if someone here carries one.
  4. If a reaction has already happened, report it to the FDA through its consumer complaint coordinator so the case is attached to this recall.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the affected Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches and have an almond allergy are urged not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company, LLC — Consumers: Customer Service, 888-255-5998 — Media: Chris Rabago, 808-842-7355

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Mauna Loa dairy recalled?

Undeclared almonds Consumers who have allergies to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 072992042603; lot code K4351; best-by date 07 2026. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

If anyone in your household avoids milk, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased the affected Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches and have an almond allergy are urged not to consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California.

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