“Vegan” Cheese Puffs Recalled After Testing Positive for Undeclared Milk — What to Do If You Bought Them
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You bought a bag of vegan cheese puffs because you or someone in your house can’t have dairy. Now here’s the problem: the product wasn’t actually dairy-free.
Frankie’s Organic is recalling its Plant-Based Vegan Cheddar Puffs after testing found undeclared milk in the snack. If you or your child has a milk allergy, this is worth checking right now.
What Was Recalled
The recalled product is Frankie’s Organic Plant-Based Vegan Cheddar Puffs, in 4 oz. (113 g) bags.
Here’s how to identify it:
- UPC: 816929000089
- Lot code: 05 16 2027
- Best if used by: May 16, 2027
It was sold in Washington, Florida, and South Carolina, at PCC Markets (Washington), Earth Fare stores (Florida and South Carolina), and select independent retailers in those regions. About 94 cases were affected.
The recall is voluntary — Marina Del Rey Foods Inc., the firm behind Frankie’s Organic, initiated it themselves after testing turned up the problem.
Why It Matters
The snack was marketed and sold as vegan. That’s exactly why this recall is more than a routine label mix-up.
Someone shopping for a dairy-free or vegan snack has no reason to expect milk in the ingredients. If you have a milk allergy, that’s a real risk, not just an inconvenience.
The FDA classified this as a Class I recall. That’s the agency’s most serious classification. It means there’s a reasonable probability that eating the product could cause serious or life-threatening health consequences for someone with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity.
According to the recalling firm, the milk got into the product through a seasoning ingredient supplied by an outside vendor.
What to Do
- Check your pantry for a 4 oz. bag of Frankie’s Organic Plant-Based Vegan Cheddar Puffs.
- Compare the UPC (816929000089) and lot code (05 16 2027) to what’s on your bag.
- If you have a milk allergy or sensitivity, do not eat it, even if you’ve eaten it before without a reaction.
- Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or discard it.
- Questions? Contact Frankie’s Organic directly at 1-800-363-8209 (Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm EST).
You can also check the official recall notice yourself on the FDA’s recall page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have the recalled product?
Check the bag for a 4 oz. size, UPC 816929000089, and lot code 05 16 2027 with a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027. If those match, it’s part of the recall.
Is this actually dangerous?
Yes, for the right person. The FDA classified this as Class I, its most serious recall category, because of the real risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction in people with a milk allergy or severe sensitivity.
What do I do if I have it?
Don’t eat it. Return it to where you bought it for a refund, or throw it away. If you or your child has already eaten it and had a reaction, contact a doctor.
Is this snack really vegan?
It was marketed and sold as a plant-based, vegan product. This recall exists specifically because testing found undeclared milk in it, so as of this recall, no — not the affected lot.
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