What’s New
Costco announced on Monday that NuGo dark chocolate protein bars sold at warehouse stores in 10 states and the District of Columbia were being recalled due to the presence of undeclared dairy. It was unclear whether any related illnesses had been reported.
Newsweek reached out for comment to NuGo via email on Monday night.
Why It Matters
While the presence of undeclared milk or dairy may not prompt any major health concerns for most, consumers with a related allergy could be stricken with the potentially fatal condition of anaphylaxis.
The allergic reaction requires prompt medical attention because of symptoms that include throat swelling, difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Other symptoms include rashes, hives, itching, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
In addition to allergy concerns, milk poses a risk for people with lactose intolerance, which is an inability to properly digest a type of sugar present in dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea and abdominal pain, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What To Know
Costco sent a letter to customers who purchased the recalled NuGo protein bars on Monday, while also sharing a copy of the letter to the company website.
The recall applies to 18-count packages of NuGo Dark Chocolate protein bars sold from October 2 to November 20 in D.C. and the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Vermont.
Costco sold the protein bars as item number 1372590. All of the recalled products have “best by” dates of December 22, 2025, or December 23, 2025, and lot numbers of B24235A, B24235B, B24236A or B24236B.
Customers with additional questions about the recall were asked to contact NuGo at recall@nugo.com or via phone at 888-421-2032 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday to Friday.
What People Are Saying
Milk is considered one of nine “major food allergens” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The other major allergens are tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, sesame and soybeans. About 6 percent of U.S. adults and 8 percent of children have at least one food allergy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While fatal allergic reactions caused by recalled food are rare, mislabeling products poses a serious risk to those who may be vulnerable. Earlier this year, a recall was issued for Florentine cookies sold by Connecticut-based supermarket chain Stew Leonard’s following the death of a woman who ate the cookies without realizing they contained undeclared peanuts.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that should never have happened,” Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement at the time. “Our condolences go out to the family affected by this incident.”
What Happens Next
The recalled protein bars are no longer being sold at Costco. Customers who purchased the product and have a dairy allergy were urged to return the items to their point of purchase for a full refund.
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