Gluten-Free Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle Recalled Over Unlisted Wheat

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains that's responsible for the pleasurably chewy mouthfeel found in many baked goods. Unfortunately, somewhere in the vicinity of 7% of the Americas can't digest gluten without experiencing digestive symptoms, according to a 2017 article published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. And in the case of the 1% of Americans diagnosed with celiac disease, consuming gluten may also physically damage the small intestine. 

Living with any form of gluten intolerance, or for that matter, wheat allergy or sensitivity, means eschewing lots of the good stuff that others enjoy. So, it's awesome when a brand that trades on its chewy baked goods comes out with a gluten-free version. On March 8, 2023, Second Nature Brands did just that when it added Gluten-Free Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle to its portfolio of uber-popular brownie brittles (i.e., deeply flavorful crispy cookies reminiscent of the brittle pieces that you can break off the rims of freshly baked pans of brownies), which are sold thousands upon thousands of retail stores across North America and Asia, including Target and Walmart, well as through online channels.

Unfortunately, however, it quickly came to the attention of the Michigan-based LLC that some packages of its Gluten-Free Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle may contain a product that is not, in fact, gluten-free (via company press release). Accordingly, the company has found itself in the position of having to recall the lots it believes were affected. Here's everything you'll need to know about this recall.

On March 23, 2023, Second Nature Brands announced the voluntary recall of its four-ounce packages of Gluten-Free Reese's Pieces Brownie Brittle that it distributed through retail stores and online channels. With the company's cooperation, the FDA issued a contemporaneous alert. The reason given was the possible presence of undeclared wheat. However, it appears that at least one person who consumed the mislabeled product has become ill as a result.

After discovering the snafu, the company conducted an investigation, which revealed that the issue stems from cross-contamination of the Gluten-Free product or its packaging with wheat or wheat-containing products at some point during the manufacturing process. Accordingly, all production of the Gluten-Free product has been suspended pending resolution of the underlying cause of the problem to the satisfaction of both the company and the FDA.

The four-ounce packages of Gluten-Free Reese's Pieces Brown Brittle are pouches marked with a UPC of 711747011562 and lot codes of SG 1054 15/NOV/2023 1S and SG 1054 15/NOV/2023 2S. You'll find these marks on the back of the pouch, adjacent to the erroneous nutrition and ingredient information. If you have any such pouches, you're urged to not consume their contents. As the company makes clear, people with wheat allergy or severe wheat sensitivity who consume these products run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction." Info on how to return pouches for a full refund is available by calling (800) 651-7263 during business hours or via email at recall@browniebrittle.com.