It’s one of those nibbles that surprise you when you take a small handful and then realize you can’t quite get enough: The Kentucky Derby or Friday happy hour are moments when a pub-style snack mix can just hit the spot.

But for the estimated 3.9 million people in the United States with a tree nut allergy, an undeclared ingredient in any snack can turn social time into a panic.

For these reasons, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning last Thursday afternoon concerning all lots of New England Village Snacks 19th Hole Snack Mix. The FDA says containers of the snack mix “may contain undeclared almonds” and individuals with an almond food allergy could experience serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if consumed.

A customer’s sharp eye first caused the recall, per the report, when the person “discovered that the almond-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of almonds.” There were no reported illnesses due to the recall, according to the April 24 FDA report.

The snack mix was distributed to small independent grocery markets and convenience stores throughout New England (states commonly considered to be a part of New England are: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut), as well as New York and Pennsylvania.

The available product information is:

  • New England Village Snacks “19th Hole Snack Mix”
  • Sold in two sizes: 5 ounces (UPC 609465693477) and 10 ounces (UPC 642147152459)
  • Comes in clear cups and tubs with re-closable lids
  • UPCs are located on the lid of the product printed in black ink

The organization Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) lists the following six tree nuts as the most common for food allergies:

  • Walnut
  • Almond
  • Hazelnut
  • Pecan
  • Cashew
  • Pistachio

The follow-up investigation eventually pointed to a “temporary breakdown” in the packaging process, and production of the snack is temporarily suspended.

It’s worth noting that, unlike other food allergies such as milk or egg, many children do not outgrow tree nut allergies as they age, meaning many adults also need to stay vigilant about checking labels and minding what they eat.

The FDA urges consumers to return the recalled snack mix to the original place of purchase to request a full refund. Photos of the affected product can be found at the recall link listed above.

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Molly Jasinski
Molly Jasinski has worked as a writer, editor and social media manager for almost 15 years. She previously worked as an editor for the magazine Birds & Blooms. She’s also held other positions at Trusted Media Brands, working on direct-to-consumer books, editing special interest publications, and assisting with digital production and social me...
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Molly Jasinski