FDA M&M’s recall Kentucky

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class II recall of specific repackaged M&M’s products distributed in 20 states, including Kentucky, over concerns about undeclared allergens such as milk, soy, and peanuts. The recall affects more than 6,000 units of repackaged 1.3‑ounce Peanut and Classic M&M’s that were sold in promotional or branded packaging, raising serious safety issues for people with food allergies.courier-journal+3

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What You Need to Know About the FDA M&M’s Recall in KentuBLOGcky

The FDA and Beacon Promotions Inc. have jointly flagged a voluntary recall of certain M&M’s candies that were repackaged and sold under third‑party promotional labels. These products were shipped to 20 U.S. states, with Kentucky listed among them, meaning residents in cities like Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Owensboro may have encountered these items in workplaces, events, or promotional giveaways.newsweek+2

The core issue is missing allergen information on the labels, which can put people with milk, soy, or peanut allergies at risk of allergic reactions, even if the candies themselves are otherwise safe for non‑allergic consumers. The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, indicating that exposure may cause temporary or reversible adverse health effects, rather than life‑threatening harm.nypost+2

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Which M&M’s Products Are Being Recalled?

The recall covers repackaged 1.3‑ounce bags of:

• Peanut M&M’s with the “Make Your Mark” label, lot code 182320, and best‑by date of April 30, 2026.livenowfox+2
• Classic M&M’s in multiple promotional formats, each with its own lot code and best‑by date.courier-journal+2

These candies were not sold in standard retail packaging on grocery shelves. Instead, they were repackaged by Beacon Promotions Inc. and distributed under company‑branded or event‑branded wrappers, such as:

• Next Up
• Smith Pro
• Subaru
• University of Maryland School of Public Policy
• Liberty University Environmental Health & Safety
• Merry Maids Annual Conference
• Adobe
• Xfinity
• Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies
• Trinity Cyber
• Candy Treats
• PP (Prosperity Promotions)
• FES Branding Solutions
• Make Your Mark, and others.nypost+1

Because the packaging carries corporate or event logos, consumers may not immediately recognize them as standard M&M’s, which increases the risk that someone with an allergy might overlook the missing allergen warnings.newsweek+1

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Why This Recall Matters for Food‑Allergy Sufferers

The undeclared presence of milk, soy, and peanuts is the central safety concern. These are major food allergens regulated under U.S. labeling laws, which require manufacturers to clearly state if a product contains any of the “Big 8” allergens, including:nypost+1

• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Crustacean shellfish
• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Wheat
• Soy

When these allergens are present but not listed on the label, individuals with allergies may unknowingly consume the product, potentially triggering reactions that range from mild (hives, itching) to severe (anaphylaxis).medicalnewstoday+1

The FDA’s Class II classification suggests that the likelihood of serious or life‑threatening outcomes is low, but temporary or reversible adverse effects are still possible, especially for sensitive individuals. As of the recall announcement, no illnesses have been reported linked to these specific M&M’s products, but health authorities still urge caution and vigilance.livenowfox+3

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How the Recall Was Triggered and Who Is Responsible

The recall was initiated voluntarily by Beacon Promotions Inc., a Minnesota‑based promotional products company that repackages and custom‑brands candy for corporate clients and events. The company discovered a labeling error in its repackaging process that led to missing allergen disclosures for milk, soy, and peanuts.newsweek+2

On January 26, 2026, Beacon Promotions announced the initial voluntary recall, which the FDA formally recognized and classified as Class II on February 4, 2026. The FDA’s involvement underscores that this is not just a minor packaging issue, but a regulated food‑safety matter affecting thousands of units across multiple states.fda+3

Beacon Promotions has stated that it is working with distributors and clients to pull the affected products from circulation and is urging consumers who may have received these items to check lot codes and best‑by dates and discard or return any matching packages.livenowfox+2

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Which States Are Affected, and Why Kentucky Is Included

The repackaged M&M’s were shipped to 20 states, including:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsinnewsweek+1

Kentucky’s inclusion means that businesses, universities, conferences, and promotional campaigns in the state may have received these candies as giveaways, event swag, or corporate gifts. Local health departments and consumer‑protection agencies in Kentucky are expected to monitor for any allergy‑related incidents and may issue additional guidance for schools, workplaces, and event organizers.courier-journal+2

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How to Check If You Have a Recalled M&M’s Package

If you or your organization received custom‑branded M&M’s in 1.3‑ounce bags, follow these steps:

1. Identify the label
   • Look for any of the promotional brand names listed above (e.g., “Next Up,” “Subaru,” “Make Your Mark,” “Adobe,” etc.).nypost+1
2. Check the lot code and best‑by date
   • For Peanut M&M’s:
     • Label: “Make Your Mark”
     • Lot code: 182320
     • Best‑by: April 30, 2026courier-journal+2
   • For Classic M&M’s:
     • Multiple lot codes apply, including L450CLV (best‑by Dec 1, 2025), L502HKP (Jan 1, 2026), L523HKP (June 30, 2026), and L537HKP (Sept 1, 2026).nypost+1
3. Compare with the FDA recall notice
   • The FDA maintains a public recall listing where you can verify the exact product descriptions, lot codes, and distribution details.fda+1

If your package matches any of these identifiers, the FDA and Beacon Promotions recommend that you do not consume the product and instead discard it safely or return it to the place of purchase or distribution.livenowfox+2

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What to Do If You or Someone You Know Consumed a Recalled Product

If you suspect that you or someone else has eaten one of these recalled M&M’s and has a known allergy to milk, soy, or peanuts, monitor for allergic reaction symptoms, such as:

• Hives, itching, or swelling
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or feeling faint

For mild symptoms, contact a healthcare provider or an allergist for advice. For severe symptoms (trouble breathing, throat tightness, or signs of anaphylaxis), seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911.medicalnewstoday+1

Even if no symptoms appear, it is still wise to report the incident to the FDA’s MedWatch program, which tracks adverse events related to food, drugs, and medical devices.medicalnewstoday+1

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How This Recall Reflects Broader Food‑Safety and Labeling Issues

This M&M’s recall highlights several systemic challenges in the food‑safety and promotional‑products landscape:

• Repackaging risks: When third‑party companies repackage branded foods, labeling errors can occur, especially if allergen information is not rigorously cross‑checked.newsweek+1
• Consumer trust: Consumers often assume that major brands like M&M’s are safe, but this incident shows that custom or promotional packaging can introduce hidden risks.livenowfox+1
• Regulatory oversight: The FDA’s Class II classification balances the actual risk level with the need to alert the public without causing undue panic, while still ensuring that companies correct labeling mistakes.fda+2

For Kentucky businesses and event planners, this recall serves as a reminder to verify allergen information for any custom‑branded food items they distribute, especially in workplaces, schools, or public events.newsweek+1

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What Kentucky Residents Should Do Next

If you live in Kentucky and may have encountered these products, consider the following actions:

• Inspect any promotional M&M’s you received at work, conferences, or events.
• Discard or return any packages that match the recalled lot codes and labels.courier-journal+2
• Inform coworkers, family members, or event attendees about the recall, especially if anyone has food allergies.livenowfox+1
• Stay informed by checking the FDA recall page and local news outlets for updates.fda+2

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