Class I (most serious) Food H-0855-2026 Ongoing

FDA Class I recall: Wawa lemon iced tea with undeclared milk allergen (H-0855-2026)

Wawa Beverage Company ・Reported Jun 3, 2026

The U.S. FDA has announced a Class I recall, its most serious category, for a lemon-flavored iced tea (16 oz plastic bottle) made by Wawa Beverage Company because it contains milk that is not declared on the label.

Recall overview (primary data)

ClassificationClass I (most serious)
Product typeFood
Recalling firmWawa Beverage Company
ReasonUndeclared Milk Allergen,
DistributionThe product has been distributed to the following states: DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA
Recall initiated2026-04-02

Key points

Classified as Class I, the most serious recall tier (used when serious health harm is possible).
The product is Wawa Beverage Company's lemon iced tea, 16 oz plastic bottle.
The reason is an undeclared milk allergen (milk content not shown on the label).
Quantity is 15,510 bottles, distributed across DE, MD, NJ, PA, and VA.
Report date is June 3, 2026, and the status is ongoing.

Class I is the most serious tier in the FDA's recall classification. It is used when there is a reasonable chance that using or consuming the product could cause serious harm or be life-threatening. The reason here is an undeclared milk allergen. Milk (the protein from cow's milk) is one of the major food allergens, and even small amounts can trigger a reaction in sensitive people, in some cases an anaphylaxis, a sudden and severe allergic reaction. When a product's label does not show that it contains milk, a person with a milk allergy may consume it without knowing, which is why this situation is treated as the most serious Class I category.

In the United States, food labeling law requires that major allergens such as milk, eggs, and peanuts be clearly identified so consumers can see them. If the labeling is not done correctly, a product can be recalled even when the ingredients themselves are otherwise sound. A case like this one, where the contents are a beverage but a contained allergen is missing from the label, means the label is not doing its job of preventing accidental exposure, so a recall is carried out to correct it.

The affected product is a 16 oz (about 473 mL) plastic bottle of lemon-flavored iced tea, with a quantity of 15,510 bottles distributed in five eastern states. Wawa is widely known in the eastern U.S. as a convenience store and gas station chain. In the FDA record the status is listed as ongoing, indicating the recall process is still in progress.

Why it matters

Because an undeclared allergen stems from labeling rather than a defect in the ingredients themselves, this case highlights how important label control is for food and beverage makers, including checking labels when recipes or production lines change and verifying supplier-derived ingredients. Multi-state distribution can widen the reach of a recall, so labeling accuracy ties directly to both safety and brand trust.

FAQ

Why is a beverage recall the most serious Class I?

Class I is the category used when a product could cause serious or life-threatening harm. If a milk allergen is not declared, a person with a milk allergy could consume it unknowingly and suffer a serious reaction such as anaphylaxis, a sudden and severe allergic reaction.

What does "undeclared milk allergen" mean?

It means the product contains milk (the protein from cow's milk) but the label does not show it. U.S. law requires major allergens to be declared, and a missing declaration can lead to a recall because it can result in accidental exposure.

Which product is affected and where was it distributed?

The affected product is "Wawa Iced Tea Lemon 16 oz Pint, Plastic bottle" (a 16 oz plastic bottle of lemon iced tea), with a quantity of 15,510 bottles. It was distributed across five states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Sources (primary)

Source: openFDA (U.S. FDA, CC0 public domain). Data is provided as-is and must not be used for medical decisions. Verify the latest and exact details with the official FDA recall information. This site is not endorsed or certified by the U.S. FDA.

#FDA#recall#Class I#food safety#allergen#milk#beverage

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