This Cookie Dough Brand Is Being Recalled Due to an Undeclared Allergen

Gluten-free cookie lovers may be in for a not-so-sweet surprise: the FDA has issued a recall for a particular variety of Sweet Loren’s Cookie Dough after in-house testing detected traces of gluten in the oat flour. Unlike other recent food recalls, such as the JIF peanut butter recall, which impacted an extensive list of products, this particular recall only applies to a single lot of inventory. The dough, however, was sold in grocery stores across 25 states, so customers who purchased Sweet Loren’s 12-ounce Sugar Cookie Dough with code “AF22 115” and a best-by date of 12/1/2022 are encouraged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. 

The recall is ultimately tied to a misbranding. Sweet Loren’s prides itself as America’s #1 natural cookie dough brand whose packaging indicates that the product is “plant-based,” “dairy-free,” and “gluten-free.” While no illnesses have yet been reported, even trace amounts of gluten can be a significant problem for individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to gluten. 

As gluten sensitivities have become more common in recent years, an array of scientific studies have aimed to uncover linkages between its molecular composition and the immune system. Gluten is a mixture of two proteins that are found in wheat, rye, and barley and in products that are derived from these grains. It causes digestive issues in people with gluten intolerance due to its unique amino acid structure that affects the digestive enzymes in the gut. 

Several food recalls this year have been linked to widespread illness, due to contamination from a pathogen such as salmonella or hepatitis. While allergen-based recalls haven’t been as frequent, a recent recall of Wilton Sprinkles prompted urgent action from the manufacturer after traces of milk were discovered in product samples.

States impacted by the Sweet Loren’s recall include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Washington, DC.

In the meantime, if you were impacted by the recall and can’t tame your sweet tooth, check out this Gluten-Free Cherry Walnut Oatmeal Cookie recipe. And with the summer heat in full swing, consider using it as a base for the perfect ice cream sandwich.