Blue Diamond Almond Milk Recalled Due to Cow’s Milk Contamination

The manufacturers of Blue Diamond almond milk recently announced a multi-state recall of the products following reports that the almond milk may be contaminated with cow’s milk.

On Aug. 2, HP Hood LLC, the makers of Blue Diamond vanilla flavored Almond Breeze almond milk, recently announced a recall of almost 150,000 half gallon containers of their product after discovering that certain batches of the product may contain cow’s milk.

States affected by the Blue Diamond almond milk recall include the following: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The recall reportedly affects half-gallon containers of vanilla flavored Almond Breeze, sold under the Blue Diamond brand. Consumers in the affected states should look for the following information stamped on their Blue Diamond almond milk cartons.

USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H5 L1 51-4109
USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H5 L2 51-4109
USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H6 L1 51-4109
USE BY: SEP 02 18 (07:36 – 20:48) H6 L2 51-4109

The affected cartons also have a Universal Product Code (UPC) of 41570 05621, located next to the nutrition facts on a Blue Diamond almond milk carton. If consumers have a Blue Diamond almond milk carton with this information, their product may be contaminated with cow’s milk.

Those sensitive to cow’s milk often purchase Blue Diamond almond milk to replace cow’s milk in their diet, and rely on the portrayal that the product does not contain cow’s milk. Although the product is reportedly safe to drink if consumers are not sensitive to or allergic to cow’s milk, it may be dangerous to those who are allergic or have an intolerance. If someone who is allergic to cow’s milk ingests the contaminated product, they may experience a serious, life-threatening reaction. According to HP Hood, only one allergic reaction has been reported so far, and the reaction did not require medical treatment or hospitalization.

According to HP Hood, the contamination occurred in a plant which processes both almond milk and cow’s milk.

“Although the almond milk is processed on a separate line and filler and we confirmed that the allergen control protocol all standard validation testing was conducted in accordance with our allergen control program, this particular batch of almond milk was contaminated with one container of milk through an employee error,” the representative for HP Hood said in an email to CBS News. “Hood made the decision to recall all of the product from this batch as a precaution.”

HP Hood says those who’ve already purchased cartons affected by the recall should return them to the store where they were purchased to get a refund or exchange, or they can submit a consumer information form to HP Hood to request a coupon for a replacement product. But for purchasers who already suffered an adverse reaction to contaminated Blue Diamond almond milk, the offer of a replacement may be too late and far from adequate.

If you purchased Blue Diamond almond milk included in the recall, you may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit investigation. Compensation may be available if you purchased and consumed the product before the recall and got sick because of the cow’s milk contamination. Fill out the form on this page to request a free case evaluation.

Join a Free Almond Milk Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Vanilla Almond Breeze almond milk in one of the 28 states where the affected milk was sold, you may qualify to join this Almond Breeze almond milk recall class action lawsuit investigation.

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