Cromer Food Services has recalled its chicken salad sandwiches due to undeclared milk, prompting a Class I alert from the FDA.
At a Glance
- 12,000 sandwiches recalled over undeclared milk
- Products sold in Georgia and South Carolina vending machines
- Use-by dates range from January 3 to April 2, 2025
- No illnesses reported as of now
FDA Issues Class I Recall
Cromer Food Services, Inc. has issued a recall of its Chicken Salad on White Sandwich due to the presence of undeclared milk, a known allergen. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the recall is classified as Class I—the agency’s most serious level—indicating a high risk of severe health consequences or death from product consumption.
The affected sandwiches are sold in 4.3-ounce packages and identified by UPCs 31166 and 13172. They were distributed through micro markets and vending machines across Georgia and South Carolina. The recalled products have use-by dates ranging from January 3 to April 2, 2025, as noted in the official FDA recall notice.
The issue was discovered during a routine inspection by the FDA on March 25, 2025, which revealed that the sandwich bread contained milk not listed on the product label.
Allergen Risks and Consumer Guidance
The recall serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that undeclared allergens pose to individuals with food sensitivities. Milk allergies can trigger reactions ranging from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. As highlighted by Dr. Sebastian Linghvani in a Newsweek report, accidental food ingestion remains a leading cause of emergency room visits among allergy sufferers in the U.S.
“Even with the best efforts that people make to avoid ingesting trigger foods, accidental ingestions happen,” said Linghvani. “We’ve seen a 300–400% increase in food-induced anaphylaxis over the past 20 years.”
Consumers who purchased the recalled sandwiches are urged to return them to the point of purchase for a refund or to dispose of them safely. Cromer Food Services is available at 1-800-922-3174 for additional information, per the FDA advisory.
This incident underscores the critical need for accurate allergen labeling, especially as rates of food allergies and severe reactions continue to rise.
