Milk is one of the most common food allergens, affecting about 3% of infants and young children. Undeclared milk in dark chocolate and bakery products has been responsible for numerous allergen-related recalls in the U.S. In response to these events, a study was initiated to survey dark chocolate and bakery products (dry mixes and pre-packaged cookies) for undeclared milk using commercially available quantitative ELISA kits. Dark chocolate products with any milk advisory statement contained milk above the limit of quantitation [2.5 µg/g (ppm)] in 75% of the bars, with the majority having levels &gt;1,000 ppm milk. In addition, 15% of chocolates labeled “dairy-free" or "lactose-free”, and 25% labeled “vegan” tested positive for milk, all with concentrations &gt;1000 ppm milk. Even 33% of chocolates with no reference to milk on the label contained 60 to 3400 ppm milk. Dry bakery mixes without a milk advisory statement, a dairy-free statement, and milk ingredient statement tested positive in nearly 9% of the survey samples (2-16 ppm milk), while all cookies in this category tested negative. Bakery products bearing advisory and/or dairy-free statements were also evaluated and none were found to contain detectable amounts of milk. For both food groups evaluated in this study, the type of advisory statement for milk did not predict the amount or absence of milk protein found in products. Consumers with milk allergies should be cautious when purchasing dark chocolate products, particularly those that have a milk advisory statement. The study also indicates that some bakery products with advisory statements for milk may pose a risk to consumers.

Limited survey of dark chocolate and bakery products for undeclared milk

254th National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.