FSIS Issues Health Alert for Mislabeled Empanadas
Federal regulators warn that chicken empanadas sold at Walmart may contain undeclared milk allergens.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Allergies
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On January 8, 2025, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert regarding misbranded frozen chicken empanadas. These products may contain milk that is not listed on the packaging, posing a risk to consumers with milk allergies.
Why it matters
The alert is intended to protect individuals with milk allergies from accidentally consuming an undeclared allergen. No reports of adverse reactions have been confirmed, but the discovery of the mix-up prompted the federal intervention.
The affected bettergoods TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED Chicken Curry Empanadas come in 9.6-oz. packages marked with establishment number P33967. The issue was identified after the producing establishment received four consumer complaints.
The players
Food Safety and Inspection Service
This agency is the public health arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products.
Walmart
This multinational retail corporation operates a chain of hypermarkets and grocery stores where the affected products were distributed.
The details
The product, intended to be chicken curry empanadas, may actually contain apple cinnamon empanadas that include milk as an ingredient. The mislabeled items were distributed to Walmart stores nationwide.
Timeline
Production of the affected empanadas took place on November 14, 2024.
Packaging occurred on November 20 and November 21, 2024.
The FSIS issued the official public health alert on January 8, 2025.
Health Landscape
The public health alert follows the oversight mandates established by the Federal Meat Inspection Act regarding accurate product labeling. This regulatory action ensures that consumer protection remains a priority during manufacturing errors that involve undeclared allergens.
Consumers with milk allergies should check their freezers for the specified 9.6-oz. packages and avoid consumption. If you have already purchased these items, they should be returned to the store or discarded to prevent accidental exposure.
The takeaway
Mislabeling errors serve as a critical reminder to always verify ingredient labels, even for products regularly purchased. Checking for undeclared allergens is a simple habit that can prevent unnecessary health risks for sensitive individuals.
Further reading
For more context on how regulators manage risks associated with food sensitivities, visit the Allergies section.
More information
To report a food safety concern or learn more about this alert, visit the Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System.
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