United States: To the surprise of many consumers, the FDA has asked everyone to note that many chocolates labeled as dairy-free have milk, as reported by HealthDay.
The FDA said this could pose a risk to individuals who are allergic to milk as they are being categorized incongruently.
Investigation Reveals Contamination
In an agency news release, the FDA said that out of roughly 210 chocolate samples from Pennsylvania and Michigan purchased in 2022 and 2023, about 13 were found to contain milk.
The 13 samples were sourced from three food manufacturing firms, as indicated by the FDA.
As a result of the findings, two of the manufacturers who violated the FDA removed the “dairy-free” label on their chocolates, the FDA noted.
Manufacturer Responses
The third manufacturer was informed to cease using the “dairy-free” label on its product if the agency could not identify and avoid the source of milk contamination.
In its statement, the FDA has suggested that a preliminary investigation has led to the identification of the supplier of dark chocolate as originating from milk and not from unsafe practices of the manufacturer.
Label Accuracy and Consumer Advice
The FDA pointed out that they do not standardize labeling terms such as “dairy-free” and “milk-free,” but when used by manufacturers, they must be accurate.
It is imperative to note that all 13 chocolate products that contained milk had the milk allergen advisory statements such as “…made in a facility that also processes milk.”
The FDA also stated that persons with milk allergies should be able to call the chocolate manufacturers and ask how the particular products are made, as reported by HealthDay.
They can also enquire if it was prepared on equipment that comes into contact with milk, if the ingredient used has milk traces, or if the maker has checked the product to ensure it is free from milk.