A Chinese-imported “non-dairy” creamer actually contains milk allergens and has triggered the FDA’s highest-level recall across several Northeastern states, putting allergy sufferers at potentially deadly risk.
Key Takeaways
- MO-CHA brand Premium “Non-Dairy” Creamer has been recalled due to containing undeclared milk ingredients despite its misleading name
- The FDA has issued a Class I recall – their most serious classification indicating a product that can cause “serious adverse health consequences or death”
- The Chinese-imported product was distributed across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut with approximately 4,500 cases affected
- Allergen experts warn that milk allergies affect up to 3% of children and 2% of adults in the US, with anaphylaxis rates skyrocketing 300-400% in recent years
Foreign-Made “Non-Dairy” Product Contains Milk Allergens
The FDA has announced a dangerous mislabeling issue with MO-CHA brand Premium Non-Dairy Creamer, initiating a Class I recall – their most serious designation. The product, imported from China by Momo Tea Inc. of Maspeth, New York, contains milk-derived ingredients including whey powder and casein, yet fails to list milk as an allergen on its packaging. This severe labeling oversight creates a potentially life-threatening situation for consumers with milk allergies who might reasonably assume a product labeled “non-dairy” would be safe for consumption.
The affected product was distributed in 2.2-pound bags with a two-year shelf life across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with approximately 4,500 cases now subject to recall. The recall affects all units currently on the market with no specific lot codes identified. The recall was officially initiated on April 10, with the FDA’s formal classification released on April 22. This timeline raises questions about how long consumers were potentially exposed to this dangerous mislabeling before action was taken.
Health Experts Warn of Serious Allergy Risks
Medical professionals have expressed serious concerns about the dangerous mislabeling of the Chinese-imported creamer. The undeclared milk ingredients pose a substantial risk to those with milk allergies, which aren’t rare conditions in America. The potentially fatal consequences of such mislabeling highlight the critical importance of proper ingredient disclosure, especially when it comes to major food allergens that can trigger anaphylaxis – a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention.
“Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food. So even when we try hard, these reactions are happening. And if you look at the incidence of anaphylaxis, it has skyrocketed in the last 5, 10, 20 years. And in the U.S., there’s like a 300 to 400 percent increase in the rates of anaphylaxis to foods.” – Dr. Sebastian Lighvani
Dr. Anne Marie Singh, another expert cited in FDA communications, emphasized that “Whey proteins can cause serious reactions in those with milk allergies…Milk allergy affects two to three percent of children in the U.S., and one to two percent of adults in the U.S.” This presents a sizable population potentially at risk from this deceptively labeled product. Consumers with milk allergies are urged to check their pantries immediately and dispose of this product, which remains under an ongoing recall according to the FDA’s notice.
Pattern of Mislabeled Foreign Imports Raises Concerns
This isn’t the only coffee creamer to face recall action in recent months. The FDA also announced a separate recall of International Delight Cinnabon Creamer and Hazelnut Creamer due to spoilage issues and potential illness. While classified as a less severe Class II recall, that incident affected a much larger distribution of 75,000 bottles across 31 states. The recurring issues with imported food products raise legitimate questions about the FDA’s ability to properly monitor the safety of foreign-manufactured food items entering our supply chain.
The MO-CHA case is particularly concerning because the product’s name itself – “Non-Dairy Creamer” – is fundamentally false advertising given that it contains milk-derived ingredients. This level of deception, whether intentional or not, highlights the challenges our regulatory agencies face in protecting Americans from products manufactured in countries with different safety and labeling standards. As food allergies continue to increase among Americans, the need for stringent verification of imported food products becomes increasingly critical for public health and safety.
Sources:
- Coffee Creamer Recalled as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level
- The FDA Announces Popular Coffee Creamer Recall Across 31 States
