Whole Foods Cheese Recall: Cabricharme Products Pulled From Stores Over Undeclared Egg Allergen

Whole Foods Market has announced a recall involving Cabricharme cheese sold at select stores in seven U.S. states after the product was found to contain an egg-derived ingredient that was not declared on its label.

The recall affects specialty cheese products sold at 18 Whole Foods locations in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the company's allergy alert on Sept. 12, 2026.

The issue is particularly important for consumers with an egg allergy or a serious sensitivity to egg proteins. According to the recall notice, the affected cheese contains egg lysozyme, a protein derived from egg whites.

No illnesses had been reported when the recall was announced. Whole Foods also said the affected products had been removed from store shelves.

Which Cabricharme Cheese Products Are Included in the Recall?

The recalled cheese was sold through specialty cheese departments at certain Whole Foods Market stores. Unlike packaged products that typically carry a conventional printed ingredient label, the affected cheese was cut and wrapped at the store and sold by weight.

Customers may identify the recalled products by checking the information printed on their Whole Foods Market scale label.

One affected product is identified as:

Fromagerie Coop de Mean Cabricharme Raw Milk, Aged 60 Days

This product carries PLU number 57953 and was sold in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

The second recalled product is:

Belgian Cabricharme

This cheese carries PLU number 54670 and was sold in California and Arizona.

The recall applies to both products regardless of the best-by date, provided the date is through Oct. 7, 2026.

Consumers who are unsure whether they purchased one of the affected products should check their receipt or Whole Foods scale label and compare the product information with the recall details.

Why Was the Cheese Recalled?

The recall was initiated because the Cabricharme cheese contains egg lysozyme, an egg-derived protein that was not declared on the product label.

According to the FDA notice, a Whole Foods employee discovered the labeling problem. Because the presence of an undeclared allergen can pose a serious health risk to people with food allergies, the company removed the affected products from sale.

Food labeling requirements are designed to help consumers identify ingredients that could trigger allergic reactions. When an allergen is missing from a label, people who carefully avoid that ingredient may unknowingly consume it.

The problem is especially concerning for individuals who have previously experienced severe reactions to egg.

What Should Customers Do With the Recalled Cheese?

Consumers who purchased the affected Cabricharme products should not eat them if they have an egg allergy or if they are unsure about the product's safety.

Whole Foods advises customers to destroy the recalled cheese rather than consume it. The company says customers do not need to return the product to the store.

People who purchased the recalled cheese can request a full refund from the location where they bought it. A valid receipt may be required.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Whole Foods Market at 1-844-936-8255. The company lists customer service hours as 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time on Saturday and Sunday.

What Are the Symptoms of an Egg Allergy?

Egg allergies are among the more common food allergies, particularly in children. Reactions can range from relatively mild symptoms to a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms can appear within minutes or several hours after consuming eggs or foods containing egg proteins.

Possible symptoms include:

• Hives or other skin reactions
• Swelling
• Sneezing or nasal congestion
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing

A severe allergic reaction can develop into anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.

Signs of anaphylaxis may include swelling of the throat, severe difficulty breathing, abdominal symptoms, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, and a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Anyone experiencing a severe allergic reaction should follow their emergency allergy action plan. People who have been prescribed epinephrine should use it as directed and seek emergency medical care immediately.

A key point for people with food allergies is that the severity of a previous reaction does not necessarily predict the severity of a future reaction. Someone who has experienced only a mild reaction in the past can still experience a severe reaction later.

Why Can Egg Ingredients Be Found in Cheese?

Egg may not be an ingredient consumers normally associate with cheese, which makes undeclared egg particularly significant for people with allergies.

Lysozyme is an enzyme that can be used in certain food production processes. Because it can be derived from egg, its presence can be important for consumers who must avoid egg proteins.

People managing an egg allergy should carefully review food labels and ingredient information. When purchasing specialty foods, including cheese sold from a service counter, consumers may also need to ask store employees about ingredients and allergen information.

This is especially important when products are cut, wrapped, or prepared in a store rather than sold in their original manufacturer packaging.

No Illnesses Reported So Far

The Whole Foods recall announcement stated that no illnesses had been reported at the time of the announcement.

That does not mean consumers with egg allergies should ignore the recall. Food recalls involving undeclared allergens are issued as a precaution because exposure can cause serious reactions in susceptible individuals.

Removing the products from store shelves is intended to prevent additional purchases and reduce the possibility of accidental exposure.

Consumers who believe they have experienced an allergic reaction after eating the recalled cheese should contact a healthcare professional. Anyone experiencing symptoms associated with anaphylaxis should seek emergency medical care.

Whole Foods Cabricharme Recall: Key Details

Here is a quick summary of the recall:

Retailer: Whole Foods Market

Product: Cabricharme cheese

Problem: Undeclared egg protein

Ingredient of concern: Egg lysozyme

Affected states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island

PLU 57953: Fromagerie Coop de Mean Cabricharme Raw Milk, Aged 60 Days

PLU 54670: Belgian Cabricharme

Best-by dates: Through Oct. 7, 2026

Reported illnesses: None reported at the time of the announcement

What consumers should do: Do not eat the affected product. Destroy it and contact the store regarding a refund.

What Consumers Should Know

The Whole Foods Cabricharme cheese recall highlights why people with food allergies need to pay close attention to product labels, even when purchasing foods that may not traditionally be associated with a particular allergen.

Consumers who purchased Cabricharme cheese from Whole Foods in the affected states should check their product information against the recalled PLU numbers and date range. Anyone with an egg allergy should avoid consuming the recalled cheese.

For the most current information, consumers should rely on official recall updates from Whole Foods Market and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rather than social media posts or unverified reports.

Source

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Whole Foods Market allergy alert concerning undeclared egg in Cabricharme cheese.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not medical advice. Recall information can change as companies and regulators issue updates. Consumers should verify current recall details through official sources. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a serious allergic reaction should seek appropriate emergency medical care.