- Date Issued: May 15, 2025
- Announced by: FDA on May 20, 2025
- Company: Element 112, LLC dba Madeline’s Pâtisserie
- Product: Croissants and Croissant Buns
- Issue: Undeclared wheat allergen due to mislabeling
- Details: Products labeled with “flour” instead of “wheat”
- Action: Check inventory, stop distribution, contact company for replacements
- Why it Matters: Wheat allergies can cause serious reactions—mislabeling = major no-no!
Stick around to find out more about this flaky situation!
What happened?
Madeline’s Pâtisserie, the charmingly-named brand behind those buttery, ready-to-eat croissants, just pulled the emergency brake on a batch of its beloved baked goods. On May 15, 2025, the company announced a voluntary recall after discovering a labeling error—specifically, a flour fiasco. The label mentioned “flour,” but failed to state the presence of wheat, a major allergen that needs to be clearly declared on packaging.
So, while your average croissant lover might just be chasing buttery bliss, those with a wheat allergy could unknowingly bite into something dangerous.
Here’s the flaky breakdown:
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best By Date | Issue |
Madeline’s Pâtisserie | Chocolate Croissant | 2.5 oz | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Undeclared wheat allergen |
Madeline’s Pâtisserie | Chocolate Croissant | 3.5 oz | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Undeclared wheat allergen |
Madeline’s Pâtisserie | Raspberry Croissant | 2.5 oz | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Undeclared wheat allergen |
Madeline’s Pâtisserie | Raspberry Croissant | 3.5 oz | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Undeclared wheat allergen |
Madeline’s Pâtisserie | Croissant Buns | — | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Undeclared wheat allergen |
These goodies were sold frozen and fully baked, in 24-count foodservice cases—distributed to:
- Superior Food Distributors (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Carmela Food Distributor (Fraser, MI)
- Euclid Fish Company (Mentor, OH)
- Atlantic Food Distributors (Canton, OH)
The issue was discovered during routine quality control, and thankfully, no illnesses have been reported so far.
What caused the issue?
Let’s break it down: the croissants contain wheat, but the outer label simply said “flour.” That might sound innocent enough—after all, flour often does mean wheat, right? But in the eyes of the FDA and food safety standards, this is a big red flag.
Why is it a Problem?
The FDA requires major food allergens—including wheat—to be explicitly declared on product labels. That’s not just a bureaucratic checkbox; it’s a public health mandate. For someone with a wheat allergy or celiac disease, a hidden ingredient can trigger a serious immune response.
Health Risks of Undeclared Wheat Allergens
When wheat isn’t properly labeled, it puts vulnerable consumers at risk for:
- Mild to severe allergic reactions
- Digestive distress (cramping, bloating, diarrhea)
- Skin reactions (hives, eczema)
- Respiratory issues (sneezing, wheezing, anaphylaxis in rare cases)
- Celiac disease flare-ups, where the body attacks itself in response to gluten
Who’s at Risk?
- Individuals with diagnosed wheat allergies
- People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity
- Those buying products for schools, hospitals, or elder care facilities—places with high-risk populations
- Foodservice buyers assuming product safety based on the label
Bottom line: what seems like a minor label slip can become a major health emergency.
10 common questions you might have
1. What’s wrong with the croissants?
The label says “flour” but doesn’t clearly state wheat, a required allergen disclosure under FDA rules.
2. Can someone with a wheat allergy safely eat these?
No. Even if the product was labeled “flour,” it’s not safe for someone with a wheat allergy since “wheat” wasn’t clearly declared.
3. What symptoms should I watch out for?
Common reactions include hives, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, shortness of breath, or anaphylaxis. Seek medical help immediately if symptoms appear.
4. Have there been any reported illnesses?
As of now, no illnesses have been reported, but caution is still necessary.
5. I bought these croissants for my café—what do I do now?
Stop serving or selling them immediately and contact Madeline’s Pâtisserie at [email protected] for next steps.
6. How do I know if my box is affected?
Check if your croissants were produced between March 10 and May 7, 2025, and came in 24-count frozen foodservice boxes.
7. Does “flour” always mean “wheat”?
Not necessarily. “Flour” can mean many things—rice, oat, almond—but if wheat is present, it must be specifically listed as “wheat.”
8. I have celiac disease—should I be worried?
Yes. This mislabeling poses a significant risk to people with celiac disease. Avoid consumption entirely.
9. Is this a common type of food recall?
Yes—undeclared allergens are one of the top causes of food recalls in the U.S. every year.
10. Will Madeline’s Pâtisserie fix this going forward?
They’ve stated they’ve already taken corrective action and will update labels moving forward to comply with allergen regulations.
Here’s What Should You Do
Here’s your quick product recall checklist:
- Inspect labels for missing wheat disclosure.
- Look for croissant products from Madeline’s Pâtisserie sold between March 10 and May 7, 2025.
- Stop using or distributing affected items immediately.
- Contact Madeline’s Pâtisserie at: [email protected] for replacements.
For more tips, check out our food recall checklist for importers.
Behind the Brand
Element 112, LLC, based in Sylvania, Ohio, operates as Madeline’s Pâtisserie, focusing on artisanal frozen baked goods. While this is a rare misstep for the brand, it underscores a wider pattern—labeling mistakes are among the top causes of food recalls.
They’re not alone. In the past month, we’ve seen similar allergen-related recalls, like:
- On April 3, 2025, Gordon Desserts (operating under Mochidoki) voluntarily recalled 5,016 shippers of their Sundae Shoppe Cookies and Cream Mochi Ice Cream due to undeclared wheat and soy.
- On April 11, 2025, May Flower International issued a recall of its Beijing Soybean Paste after the FDA found undeclared wheat in the product during a routine inspection.
- On April 14, 2025, Supplement Manufacturing Partners, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of its Dorado Nutrition brand Spermidine Maximum Strength 10mg Vegetable Capsules due to—brace yourself—undeclared wheat.
- On January 3, 2025, Dierbergs Kitchen announced a recall of its 16-oz Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes, which contain undeclared wheat, a significant allergen.
- On November 22, 2024, Sugar Foods issued a recall for their Tortilla Strips Santa Fe Style after being contacted by a concerned consumer who reported that their Tortilla Strips bag actually contained crispy onion.
- On August 5, 2025, Hans Kissle issued a recall of its Red Potato Bliss Salad after an allergen mix-up revealed the presence of undeclared wheat strips.
“This recall is a clear reminder of how vital accurate allergen labeling is—especially with something as common (and serious) as wheat. When labels fall short, it’s not just about regulations—it puts real people at risk. It highlights why food manufacturers must double down on quality checks and transparent practices to protect consumer health and maintain trust.” — Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86
Ensuring Safe Eats
For food manufacturers, private labels, and bulk buyers alike, this recall is a reminder that ingredient transparency is non-negotiable. A missing allergen label isn’t just a small slip-up—it can be a life-threatening error.
Here’s what brands should do:
- Invest in traceability systems
- Double-check label compliance
- Train staff on allergen handling and communication
- Have a recall plan ready to deploy in real-time
While no one enjoys issuing a recall, doing so quickly—and communicating it clearly—can protect lives and your brand reputation.
Still got questions about food recalls, ingredient traceability, or supplier compliance? We’re here to help. Talk to our team at Source86 to source safe, high-quality ingredients and streamline your food safety processes.
