Allergen recalls: undeclared milk, peanut, sesame explained
"Undeclared" means the allergen is not listed on the label. It does not mean the ingredient is supposed to be there and you already saw it in the name.
The nine major allergens
U.S. labeling law treats nine foods as major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. The original eight come from the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. The FASTER Act added sesame; foods had to declare sesame starting January 1, 2023. A recall can still name a narrower ingredient, such as whey for milk or almond for tree nuts. Wheat recalls are sometimes also described as gluten mislabeling. This site's allergen pages follow the official wording and are not a diagnosis.
Why these recalls exist
The usual causes are a wrong package, a leftover allergen on a shared line, or an ingredient the supplier did not disclose. The food can look and taste normal. If you or someone in the home has that allergy, do not eat the product. The amount that triggers a reaction is not something this page can judge.
How to check and how to get alerts
Compare the brand, product, and lot or best-by date with the FDA or USDA notice. Scan the barcode when one is printed. RecallRadar's undeclared allergen pages collect notices whose official reason or title says the allergen was not declared. Tags are automatic and can miss or mis-file a notice, so the official page controls.
Sign up and check the allergen boxes you need. An allergen alert is optional and is separate from a brand watch. Read what to do if you ate a recalled product if someone already ate it. This is not medical advice.
Official sources
- FDA: food allergies
- FDA recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts
- USDA FSIS recalls
- FoodSafety.gov recalls and outbreaks
Related guides
How to check food in your fridge · What to do if you ate a recalled product · Which agency handles which recall