COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 12, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that White Castle Food Products LLC’s Frozen Food Division is recalling select cartons of its frozen Original Sliders after discovering the products may contain undeclared milk and soy allergens. According to the FDA, White Castle found that some cartons labeled as Original Sliders contained Jalapeño Cheese Sliders with undeclared milk and soy.
Regulators said the mispackaging poses a risk to consumers with milk or soy allergies, who could experience serious or potentially life-threatening reactions if they consume the affected product.
White Castle recall: quick summary
White Castle has voluntarily recalled a limited number of frozen 4-count cartons of Original Sliders due to undeclared milk and soy. The FDA confirmed that a packaging error caused White Castle to place Jalapeño Cheese Sliders into the wrong cartons. The company distributed the recalled products nationwide, primarily through convenience stores, between August and October 2025. One consumer reported a non-life-threatening allergic reaction, and regulators have not confirmed any additional illnesses. The FDA advises consumers to return the product for a full refund.
Official recall details
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Recall date: December 12, 2025
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Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Company: White Castle Food Products LLC
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Product: White Castle Original Sliders, frozen, 4-count carton
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Issue: Undeclared milk and soy allergens
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Product details: Blue and white cardboard box; UPC 0-82988-02969-3; Best By date April 18, 2026; lot codes 9H203521 and 9H203522
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Consumer action: Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund
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For full regulatory details, consumers can review the FDA’s recall notice. Want to know more about what happened? Keep reading.
What happened?
The FDA said White Castle initiated the recall after discovering that it mistakenly packaged Jalapeño Cheese Sliders inside cartons labeled as Original Sliders. The company announced the recall on December 12, 2025, in coordination with the FDA.
Regulators said the company identified the issue after a customer contacted White Castle to report a non-life-threatening allergic reaction. “People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or soy run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the FDA warned in its recall notice.
White Castle shipped the affected cartons to retailers nationwide, potentially reaching all 50 states, and sold them primarily through convenience stores. Each carton contains two individually wrapped packs of sliders.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best by date | Issue | Affected states |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White Castle | Original Sliders | 4-count box | 0-82988-02969-3 | April 18, 2026 | Undeclared milk, soy | Nationwide |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA notice, a packaging error during production caused allergen cross-contact and triggered the recall. Milk and soy can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in sensitive individuals. Those most at risk include people with diagnosed food allergies, particularly children and individuals with asthma. The agency confirmed that no additional illnesses have been reported beyond the initial customer complaint.
Questions you might have
If you have a milk or soy allergy, watch for symptoms and seek medical care immediately if any reaction occurs.
Possible symptoms include hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or dizziness.
People with milk or soy allergies, especially children and those with asthma, face the highest risk.
Check the carton for UPC 0-82988-02969-3, Best By April 18, 2026, and lot codes 9H203521 or 9H203522.
No. Only specific frozen 4-count Original Slider cartons with the listed lot codes are included.
White Castle mistakenly packaged Jalapeño Cheese Sliders containing milk and soy into Original Slider cartons.
One non-life-threatening allergic reaction was reported. No additional illnesses have been confirmed.
The recalled cartons were sold primarily in convenience stores nationwide.
Do not consume it. Return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumers can contact White Castle at 1-800-843-2728 for questions or refunds.
Here’s what you should do
- Do not consume the product if you have a milk or soy allergy
- Return the carton to the retailer for a full refund
- Check the end panel of the box for the lot code and Best By date
- Contact White Castle at 1-800-843-2728 with questions or concerns
Behind the brand
Founded in 1921, White Castle pioneered the fast-food slider and later expanded into frozen retail products. The company’s recall notice states it has ceased distribution of the affected lots and is working closely with the FDA to address the issue.
Other relevant recalls
Undeclared allergen recalls have affected several frozen food brands in recent months, including previous reports from Source86 involving mislabeled frozen meals and snacks. Recent examples include Meal Simple, which recalled its Red Lentil Dal Soup after failing to disclose milk; Lil’ Turtles, which recalled Grandma Belle’s Tomato Basil Soup when milk was omitted from the label; and La Guadalupana, which recalled frozen tamales after discovering an undeclared milk allergen.
Dr. Steven Taylor, professor emeritus of food science and director of the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has warned that “even small labeling mistakes involving allergens can have severe consequences, because for allergic consumers there is no safe margin of error.”
As Source86 CEO Eran Mizrahi explained:
“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital transparency and supplier accountability really are.”
Ensuring safe eats
This recall highlights the ongoing importance of accurate labeling and rigorous quality checks across the frozen food supply chain. For consumers, checking lot codes and labels remains a critical safety step. For brands, robust packaging controls and traceability systems can help prevent similar incidents.
At Source86, we help food companies source ingredients, manage FSQA oversight, and develop private label programs, enabling them to respond quickly to recalls and mitigate the risk of future issues. Let’s talk.
