FDA Elevates Cake Mix Recall to Highest Risk Level Due to Allergen Threat
Washington D.C., Thursday, 12 February 2026.
On February 10, the FDA escalated the B.C. Williams cake mix recall to Class I, warning that undeclared milk allergens now pose a probability of serious injury or death.
Regulatory Escalation and Risk Assessment
The Food and Drug Administration’s decision on Tuesday, February 10, to designate the B.C. Williams Bakery Service recall as Class I represents the most severe regulatory warning available to the agency [1][2]. This classification is reserved for situations where there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death [2][3]. The Dallas-based distribution company initially issued a voluntary recall on December 23, 2025, after discovering that specific lots of cake and bread mixes contained milk allergens that were not declared on the product packaging [1][3]. For individuals with milk allergies, the consumption of these mislabeled products could trigger reactions ranging from mild symptoms, such as hives, to life-threatening anaphylaxis [3][4].
Scope of Affected Inventory
The recall affects a precise inventory of 866 bags of dry mix distributed nationwide [1]. The affected products are packaged in industrial-sized 50-pound (22.6 kg) bags, indicating a focus on bulk or commercial usage rather than standard consumer-sized boxes [1][3]. The specific inventory breakdown includes 720 bags of Bread and Roll Mix, 95 bags of Swiss Chocolate Cake Mix, and 51 bags of Spice Cake Mix [1]. Critical identifiers for the recalled items include Spice Cake Mix Batch 221, Swiss Chocolate Cake Mix Lots #072925-220 and #071825-36, and a wide range of Bread and Roll Mix lots including #072225-217 through #101725-209 [2][4]. While it remains unclear exactly where these products were distributed or if any injuries have been reported, the FDA urges consumers to check their pantries immediately and dispose of or return impacted items [1][2].
Broader Supply Chain Context
This escalation occurs amidst a broader wave of food safety alerts affecting the supply chain as of February 10, 2026 [1]. In addition to the B.C. Williams Bakery Service recall, other major consumer goods, including specific batches of salad dressings sold at retailers like Costco and Publix, have faced recalls due to foreign objects [1]. Furthermore, thousands of units of popular products such as Diet Coke and Pringles are currently being removed from shelves in separate incidents [1]. This cluster of safety events highlights the persistent challenges in maintaining supply chain transparency and the critical necessity for rigorous allergen labeling compliance to prevent severe public health outcomes [1][4].