THOMASVILLE, Ga. (October 7, 2026): The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Flowers Foods, Inc. is recalling certain Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread products because they contain undeclared milk. The company initiated the recall after a review of production records found that certain packages did not list milk as an ingredient.
The company distributed the affected bread to retail customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity could face an allergic reaction if they consume the recalled products.
Nature’s Own recall: quick summary
The recall covers Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread sold as 20-ounce single loaves and 40-ounce two-packs. The affected 20-ounce loaves have UPC 0 72250 91662 2 and specific production codes, while the 40-ounce two-pack carries UPC 0 72250 00683 5.
The 20-ounce bread has “Best if used by” dates from October 8 through October 18, 2026. Flowers Foods said no related illnesses or incidents have been reported to date.
Official recall details
- Company announcement date: October 2, 2026
- FDA publication date: October 5, 2026
- Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Company: Flowers Foods, Inc.
- Brand: Nature’s Own
- Products: Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread, 20 oz. single loaf and 40 oz. 2-pack
- Issue: Undeclared milk allergen
- 20 oz. UPC: 0 72250 91662 2
- 20 oz. Product Codes: 0188 262 20:06 to 22:05; 0188 265 09:20 to 10:30; 0188 267 04:50 to 06:00; 0188 270 04:15 to 06:05; 0188 272 17:15 to 19:25
- 20 oz. “Best if Used By”: October 8, 2026 through October 18, 2026
- 40 oz. UPC: 0 72250 00683 5
- Distribution: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
- Consumer action: Discard the affected product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund
- Consumer contact: Flowers’ Consumer Relations Center at 1-866-245-8921, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time
What happened?
Flowers Foods initiated the recall after reviewing production records and finding that certain Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread packages did not declare milk as an ingredient. The affected products include both 20-ounce loaves and 40-ounce two-packs.
The FDA notice does not explain why the ingredient declaration omitted milk or identify the specific cause of the labeling error.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Product Codes | Best If Used By | Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nature’s Own | Hawaiian Bread | 20 oz. | 0 72250 91662 2 | 0188 262 20:06 to 22:05; 0188 265 09:20 to 10:30; 0188 267 04:50 to 06:00; 0188 270 04:15 to 06:05; 0188 272 17:15 to 19:25 | Oct. 8 through Oct. 18, 2026 | Undeclared milk |
Nature’s Own | 2-pack Hawaiian Bread | 40 oz. | 0 72250 00683 5 | N/A | N/A | Undeclared milk |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA notice, certain Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread packages did not list milk as an ingredient. Flowers Foods discovered the issue while reviewing its production records.
People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity may experience an allergic reaction if they consume a product containing undeclared milk. The FDA identifies undeclared allergens as an important food safety concern, and milk frequently appears in allergen-related recalls.
The FDA notice does not identify the root cause of the labeling error.
Documentation Insight
“The recall followed a review of production records, so the label version and packaging record for each run are central to narrowing the affected bread. Connecting the approved artwork with the production date and lot information can help establish which packages omitted milk from the declaration,” said Sweet Carpio, Document Management Specialist at Source86.
Here’s what you should do
Consumers who purchased the recalled Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread should:
- Check whether the product is a 20-ounce Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread or a 40-ounce two-pack.
- Review the UPC and, for the 20-ounce loaf, the affected Product Code and “Best if Used By” date.
- People with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity should not consume the affected product.
- Discard the recalled product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- Contact Flowers’ Consumer Relations Center at 1-866-245-8921 with questions.
Behind the brand
Flowers Foods is a packaged bakery foods company headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia. The company says its portfolio includes Nature’s Own, Dave’s Killer Bread, Canyon Bakehouse, Simple Mills, Wonder, and Tastykake.
Flowers Foods reported $5.3 billion in sales in 2025 and operates bakeries across the United States. The company produces a broad range of packaged bakery products under several brands.
Other relevant recalls
- Prince Bakery Recalls Breads Over Undeclared Milk and Sesame: A bread recall involving undeclared milk and sesame allergens.
- Donutful Recalls Chocolate-Dipped Vanilla Cake Donuts Over Undeclared Milk: A bakery product recall involving undeclared milk in a finished food product.
- Little Temptations Recalls Chocolatey Eyeballs Over Undeclared Milk Allergen: A recall involving an undeclared milk allergen in a packaged food product.
- Outside The Breadbox Recalls Bread Crumbs Due to Hidden Allergens: A bakery recall involving undeclared allergens, including milk.
Regulatory context
Milk is one of the nine major food allergens recognized under U.S. federal law. When a packaged food contains milk as an ingredient, applicable labeling rules require the allergen to be declared. For bread products, the label must reflect the ingredients used in the finished product, including relevant allergens contributed by components in the formulation.
Ensuring safe eats
For packaged bakery products, allergen declarations must accurately reflect the finished formulation, including relevant ingredients used within compound ingredients. A review of the complete ingredient statement can help identify discrepancies between the recipe and the retail label.
Consumers with questions about this recall can contact Flowers Foods at 1-866-245-8921.
Milk in enriched breads often enters through dough conditioners, butter flavors, or glazes, which is why Source86 checks sub-ingredient specifications against the final label on every bakery formula it supports.
Food businesses seeking FSQA support can contact Source86.
