Beacon Promotions Recalls Repackaged M&M’S

NEW ULM, Minn. (February 6, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Beacon Promotions Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 6,000 packs of promotional M&M’s due to the presence of undeclared milk, soy, and peanuts. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after it was discovered that the products were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of these allergens, posing a serious health risk to individuals with sensitivities.

Beacon Promotions Recall: Quick Summary

Beacon Promotions Inc., based in New Ulm, Minnesota, has issued a recall for specific lots of M&M’s that were repackaged for promotional use. The affected products, which include both Peanut and Classic M&M’s, were distributed to 20 states, including California, New York, and Texas. The recall stems from a labeling error where the required allergen warnings for milk, soy, and peanuts were omitted from the custom packaging. Consumers who received these promotional items are urged to check the branding and lot codes immediately.

What Happened?

The FDA said Beacon Promotions Inc. initiated the recall after discovering that the allergen information was not transferred to the new outer packaging during the repackaging process. The recall was classified as Class II by the FDA on February 4, 2026, which indicates a situation where “use of the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote”.

The recalled items are not the standard bags found in grocery stores but are promotional items often given away at corporate events or trade shows. They feature branding from various companies, including Subaru, Adobe, Morgan Stanley, Best Western, and Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that:

“Consumers with milk, soy or peanut allergies should not consume the affected M&M’s products, as exposure could trigger a serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reaction”.

Affected Products

The recall applies to 1.3-ounce packs distributed in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, FL, IA, KS, KY, MD, MA, MN, NY, NC, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI.

Product Type	Branding / Label	Lot Code	Best Before
Peanut M&M’s	“Make Your Mark”	M1823200	April 30, 2026
Classic M&M’s	Corporate Branding*	L450ARCLV03	Dec 1, 2025
Classic M&M’s	Corporate Branding*	L502FLHKP01	Jan 1, 2026
Classic M&M’s	Corporate Branding*	L523CMHKP01	June 30, 2026
Classic M&M’s	Corporate Branding*	L537GMHKP01	Sept 1, 2026

*Corporate branding includes logos for Subaru, Adobe, Morgan Stanley, Best Western, Dropbox DocSend, and others.

What Caused the Issue?

The cause of the recall was a failure to include mandatory allergen advisory statements on the custom promotional packaging. While the M&M’s themselves are manufactured by Mars Wrigley with proper labeling, Beacon Promotions Inc. repackaged them into branded containers that lacked the specific warnings for milk, soy, and peanuts.

This type of error is known as a labeling defect. For consumers with allergies, the absence of a “Contains Peanuts” or “Contains Milk” statement removes the primary defense against accidental ingestion.

Questions You Might Have

1. Are store-bought M&M’s affected? No. This recall is specific to promotional packs distributed by Beacon Promotions Inc..
2. What logos are on the packages? The packs may feature logos from companies like Subaru, Adobe, Best Western, and Morgan Stanley.
3. Is the candy itself contaminated? No. The candy is standard M&M’s; the issue is the missing label declaring allergens.
4. I have a peanut allergy. Is this dangerous? Yes. The product contains peanuts (in the Peanut variety) and milk/soy, which can cause severe reactions if you are allergic.
5. What states are involved? The recall covers 20 states, including California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Ohio.
6. How many packs are recalled? Approximately 6,000 packs are included in this recall.
7. What is a Class II recall? It means the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote, but the product is still violative.
8. Who is Beacon Promotions? They are a promotional products supplier based in New Ulm, Minnesota, that customizes items for corporate clients.
9. Has anyone had an allergic reaction? There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses or reactions to date.
10. What should I do with the pack? If you have a relevant allergy, do not eat it. Dispose of it immediately.

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check the branding: Look for the corporate logos listed above or the “Make Your Mark” label.
• Verify the Lot Code: Compare the code on your pack with the table above.
• Do not consume: If you or someone in your household has a milk, soy, or peanut allergy, do not eat the candy.
• Dispose: Throw the product away to prevent accidental consumption.

Behind the Brand

Beacon Promotions is a supplier in the promotional products industry, specializing in customizing goods like calendars, bags, and food gifts for corporate marketing. While they do not manufacture the candy, they are responsible for the compliance of the final repackaged item. This incident highlights the regulatory complexity when third-party vendors repackage food items, as they assume the responsibility for transferring all safety information, including allergen declarations.

Other Relevant Recalls

This recall occurs amidst a busy period for food safety alerts. Mondelēz Global LLC recently expanded its recall of Chips Ahoy! Baked Bites Brookies due to a choking hazard caused by corn starch clumps. Similarly, Costco issued a recall for Mini Beignets after a packaging mix-up left hazelnuts undeclared.

In other recent news, Gerber recalled Arrowroot Biscuits due to potential contamination with plastic and paper. Mays Chemical Company also faced regulatory issues, recalling 23 tons of pork loins due to skipped import inspections. Finally, Akkarco LLC recalled honey products found to contain hidden drug ingredients.

This recall occurs amidst a busy period for food safety alerts. Mondelēz Global LLC recently expanded its recall of Chips Ahoy! Baked Bites Brookies
due to a choking hazard caused by corn starch clumps. Similarly, Costco issued a recall for Mini Beignets after a packaging mix-up left hazelnuts undeclared.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, noted:

“Promotional items are often overlooked in the food safety conversation, but they carry the same risks as grocery store products. When a label is missing, the consumer’s safety net is gone. This recall serves as a crucial reminder that every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to repacker, must be vigilant about allergen transparency.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Mislabeling of allergens remains a leading cause of food recalls in the U.S. For companies dealing with promotional food items, strict adherence to FDA labeling laws is essential to protect brand reputation and consumer health.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, ensuring that when recalls happen, supply chains are prepared to respond quickly.

For more information or to report a concern about a food product, you can visit our contact page at https://source86.com/contact/.

FAQs

• How did this happen?The products were purchased in bulk and repackaged into smaller promotional containers, but the allergen ingredients listed on the original bulk packaging were not printed on the new individual labels.
• Is the chocolate expired?No, the Best Before dates range from December 2025 to September 2026. The recall is strictly due to the missing allergen safety warnings.
• Who received these products?These were likely distributed at corporate events, conferences, or as business gifts in the 20 affected states, rather than sold directly to consumers in retail stores.