If you know, you know: any sandwich is a treat, but piling meat, cheese, and some veggies onto some fresh-sliced artisan bread can truly take that crave-worthy stack to the next level. (It’s also likely to provide you with a little more fiber than traditional white bread.)

Some bread buyers will want to check the loaf sitting in their kitchens, as one bakery-branded product is being pulled from a well known grocery chain’s store shelves.

On Wednesday, Kroger, which is the country’s largest supermarket chain operating exclusively for groceries, alerted its customers to the recall of Lewis Bakery Artisan Style Half Loaf bread. The announcement claims that bags labeled as Lewis Artisan Bread may actually contain Lewis Nutty Oat Bread instead, which could expose consumers to undeclared hazelnuts. Kroger states: “Product ingredients statement and contains statement do not declare hazelnuts and may result in severe reaction if consumed by individuals allergic to tree nuts.”

An allergy to tree nuts is one of the most common food allergies in the U.S. It includes hazelnuts, as well as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, cashews, and Brazil nuts, explains the Cleveland Clinic. While some individuals with this allergy may experience symptoms like hives or swelling, reactions can be serious and even fatal.

In a separate notice, Kroger shares the following details about the recalled product:

  • Lewis Bakery Artisan Style Half Loaf Bread
    • Size: 12 oz.
    • UPC: 24126-01815
    • Best By date: JUL 13

The grocery chain says that the bread may have been sold at Kroger locations in 15 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Specific store areas within those states are also noted on Kroger’s recall page.

Kroger also notes that products were available for purchase at Mariano’s, Pick ‘n Save, and Metro Market stores, which are owned by Kroger’s parent company.

Kroger recommends that consumers should not eat the affected product and instead should return it for a refund. Lewis Brothers Bakery’s contact number is available via the Kroger alert above.

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Emily Surpless
Emily has over a decade of experience producing digital content, working on sites focused on health, lifestyle, home, and entertainment. As the editor for The Healthy by Reader’s Digest, she focuses on pitching and optimizing content to satisfy reader curiosity and reach new users. Prior to her role at The Healthy, Emily was the Sr. SEO Manager ...
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Emily Surpless