Trader Joe’s mistakenly swapped crispy onions for cheese crumbles in its popular sesame miso salads, putting milk-allergic customers at risk while no symptoms have been reported so far.
Key Takeaways
- Trader Joe’s has recalled 500 units of ready-to-eat Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon due to an undeclared milk allergen in 18 states.
- The recall affects products with use-by dates of April 28 and 29, 2025, and was triggered by the accidental inclusion of Parmesan cheese crumbles instead of crispy onions.
- While no adverse health effects have been reported, individuals with milk allergies risk symptoms including bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Customers can return affected products to any Trader Joe’s store for a full refund.
Packaging Error Leads to Nationwide Alert
Trader Joe’s has issued an urgent recall of its ready-to-eat Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon after discovering a potentially dangerous packaging error. The recall, which spans across 18 states, was initiated when Taylor Fresh Foods identified that approximately 500 units of the product were incorrectly packaged with Parmesan cheese crumbles instead of the intended crispy onions. This mistake introduced milk—a common allergen—into the product without proper labeling, creating a serious health risk for consumers with milk allergies or severe lactose intolerance.
Trader Joe’s Sesame Miso Salad with Salmon Voluntarily Recalled Due to Undeclared Milk Allergen https://t.co/h7WeVejxxM pic.twitter.com/6OuSVfCtRp
— U.S. FDA Recalls (@FDArecalls) April 29, 2025
“In a statement, the grocery chain said 500 units of the salad were accidentally packaged with a sealed packet of Parmesan cheese crumbles,” per Simply Recipes.
The affected products are specifically those with “use by” dates of April 28 and April 29, 2025, and bear the SKU code 77316. The recall affects salads distributed across Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. While no adverse health effects have been reported yet, the company is taking precautionary measures to protect vulnerable consumers.
Health Risks and Consumer Response
Milk ranks among the nine most common food allergens in the United States, capable of triggering severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Those with milk allergies or lactose intolerance who unknowingly consume the affected salads might experience symptoms ranging from bloating and diarrhea to gas, abdominal pain, cramping, and nausea. In severe cases, allergic reactions to milk can even lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
“TRADER JOE’S RECALLS SALAD DUE TO UNDECLARED ALLERGEN” said U.S. Food & Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has highlighted this recall as part of its ongoing consumer protection efforts. The federal agency has emphasized the importance of proper allergen labeling, particularly for common allergens like milk that can cause serious health consequences. This incident underscores the critical need for stringent quality control measures in food packaging and labeling to protect vulnerable consumers with food allergies and sensitivities.
What Affected Customers Should Do
Trader Joe’s has instructed consumers who purchased the affected salads to either discard them immediately or return them to any Trader Joe’s location. The company is offering a full refund for all recalled products, emphasizing their commitment to customer safety. For additional information regarding this recall, customers can contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 or the alternative customer service line at 855-455-0098.
The recall serves as yet another reminder of the serious consequences that can result from seemingly minor packaging errors. While government regulations mandate clear allergen labeling on all food products, occasional mistakes still occur in the complex food supply chain. Consumers with known food allergies should remain vigilant about checking product packaging and staying informed about recalls through resources such as the FDA’s recall announcements and alerts from retailers like Trader Joe’s.
