James Skinner Recalls Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake Due to Mislabeling

OMAHA, Neb. (December 18, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that The James Skinner LLC is voluntarily recalling a specific lot of Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake because the packaging bears an incorrect label. According to the FDA, the cakes were inadvertently labeled as “Publix Raspberry Coffee Cake,” which fails to declare walnuts in the ingredient list. This mislabeling poses a serious or life threatening risk to people with walnut allergies.

Publix Coffee Cake Recall: Quick Summary

The James Skinner LLC has issued a recall for 14 ounce packages of Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake distributed to Publix retail stores in eight states. The recall was initiated after a store employee noticed that the cakes—which have visible walnuts on top—were packaged with a Raspberry Coffee Cake label. While the wrong label includes a “processed on shared equipment” warning for nuts, it does not explicitly list walnuts as an ingredient, violating federal labeling laws. Consumers with walnut allergies should not consume this product and are urged to return it to Publix for a full refund.

What Happened?

The FDA reported that the recall was triggered when a retail store employee discovered the packaging error. The employee observed that the product had visible walnuts and a brown maple topping but was labeled as “Raspberry Coffee Cake,” which typically has a red topping and no nuts. The investigation confirmed that a single day’s production of Maple Walnut Coffee Cake was mislabeled.

In its recall announcement, The James Skinner LLC stated that while the incorrect label declares the product is “processed on equipment that also processes almonds, pecans and walnuts,” it fails to list walnuts in the actual ingredient statement. The affected products were shipped to a distribution center in Winter Haven, Florida, and then sent to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Affected Products

Brand	Product	Size	Lot Code	SKU	Date of Manufacture	Issue
Publix	Maple Walnut Coffee Cake (Labeled as Raspberry)	14 oz.	5309	54591	11/05/2025	Undeclared Walnuts

What Caused the Issue?

According to the recall notice, the issue was caused by a packaging error where the wrong ingredient label (Publix Raspberry Coffee Cake) was applied to units of Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake. Mislabeling is a common cause of Class I recalls, as it leaves consumers relying on the ingredient list vulnerable to anaphylaxis.

Company officials said the error was “isolated to certain units in one day’s production” and has since been corrected. The primary health risk is an allergic reaction to walnuts, which can be severe or fatal. The agency confirmed that no reports of injury or illness have been received to date.

Questions You Might Have

1. What specific product is recalled?Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake (14 oz) that is mislabeled as “Publix Raspberry Coffee Cake”.
2. How can I tell if I have the wrong cake?The cake will have a “Raspberry Coffee Cake” label but will visibly feature a brown maple topping and walnuts instead of red raspberry filling.
3. What is the Lot Code?Look for Lot Code 5309 printed on the package.
4. Is it safe if I’m not allergic to walnuts?Yes, if you do not have a walnut or tree nut allergy, the product is safe to eat, though it is technically misbranded.
5. Where was it sold?It was sold at Publix stores in AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, and VA.
6. Has anyone gotten sick?No illnesses or injuries have been reported so far.
7. Does the label warn about nuts?Yes, the incorrect label says it was processed on equipment with walnuts, but it doesn’t list walnuts as an ingredient, which is confusing and non compliant.
8. Can I get a refund?Yes, you can return the cake to any Publix store for a full refund.
9. Who made the cake?The James Skinner LLC, a bakery supplier for Publix.
10. Who can I call?You can contact The James Skinner LLC at 1-800-358-7428.

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check the Label: Look for a package labeled “Publix Raspberry Coffee Cake” that actually contains a maple/nut cake.
• Verify the Lot: Check for Lot Code 5309.
• Do Not Serve: If you have a guest with nut allergies, do not serve this cake.
• Return it: Take the product back to Publix for a refund.

Behind the Brand

The James Skinner LLC, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is a major provider of “thaw and sell” bakery products for grocery retailers across the United States. Founded in 1983, the company is known for its danishes, muffins, and coffee cakes found in in store bakeries. This is not the company’s first labeling related recall; in April 2024, they recalled a “Cinnamon Pecan Braid” due to undeclared pecans.

Other Relevant Recalls

In a similar recent alert affecting bakery items, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods recalled four varieties of its Decorated Pound Cakes in mid December 2025 due to an undeclared soy allergen. Like the James Skinner incident, this recall was triggered by a discrepancy in ingredient declaration, potentially putting consumers with soy sensitivities at risk. The FDA continues to monitor these bakery related labeling errors closely.

In a separate safety notice involving physical contaminants, Dollar General recalled its Clover Valley Instant Coffee after reports that the jars might contain glass fragments. This alert affects specific lots sold at Dollar General locations nationwide. While the James Skinner recall addresses undeclared allergens, the Clover Valley incident serves as a reminder that foreign material contamination remains a persistent challenge for large scale retail brands.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said that while the James Skinner recall highlights a specific labeling mix up, it also underscores a broader truth in the food industry:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Labeling errors remain one of the leading causes of food recalls in the U.S. For consumers with food allergies, the ingredient list is a lifeline. This incident serves as a reminder to always visually inspect food products—if the food doesn’t match the description (e.g., brown topping instead of red), do not eat it, even if the ingredients seem safe.

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. Contact Us!