Target’s recent recall of their Favorite Day Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake highlights a serious food safety concern for those with tree nut allergies. The undeclared pecans in the product, identified after a customer complaint in March 2025, could trigger potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. This incident raises significant questions about quality control processes in food manufacturing, the effectiveness of allergen labeling regulations, and what additional safeguards might prevent similar oversights in the future.
Target Recalls Cheesecake With Undeclared Pecans
Target has issued an urgent recall for its Favorite Day Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake due to an undisclosed allergen that poses serious health risks to consumers. The recall, initiated by manufacturer Dessert Holdings LLC of Kennesaw, Georgia, comes after a customer complaint received on March 14, 2025, revealed the presence of undeclared pecans in the product.
Target’s urgent cheesecake recall follows discovery of undeclared pecans that could endanger allergic consumers.
The affected cheesecakes were distributed between February 14 and March 7, 2025, to Target stores across five states: California, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas. Only products with the lot code 25028A1 000039133 and UPC code 0 85239 09690 1 are impacted by this recall. The 6-ounce/2-count packages are sold in clear plastic clam shells for easy identification. Consumers can easily identify the affected items by checking the lot code printed on the side of the clear plastic clamshell packaging.
For individuals with tree nut allergies, particularly to pecans, consuming these mislabeled cheesecakes could trigger severe allergic reactions, including hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Unlike cajeta or dulce de leche which have distinct ingredients and origins, the presence of undeclared nuts in desserts presents a serious health concern. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating the product should seek immediate medical attention.
Target and Dessert Holdings are advising customers who purchased the 6-ounce, 2-count packages not to consume them. Instead, shoppers can return the product to any Target store for a full refund or contact Target Guest Relations at (800) 444-0680 for assistance. Alternatively, consumers may reach out to Dessert Holdings directly at (720) 766-9060 or via email at [email protected]. While many condiments can remain safe at room temperature due to their natural preservatives, refrigeration is often recommended for perishable desserts like these cheesecakes to maintain food safety standards.
The company has confirmed that no illnesses have been reported as of the recall announcement, and the mislabeling issue has since been corrected. The recall follows a recent trend of food safety concerns involving several other products, including nearly 30,000 pounds of beef sticks recalled by Idaho Smokehouse Partners. This recall applies exclusively to the specified lot, with no other Favorite Day products affected.
Food safety experts note that proper allergen labeling is vital for the approximately 1.1% of Americans who suffer from tree nut allergies. While the recall may inconvenience some shoppers, it represents a significant step in protecting vulnerable consumers from potentially serious health consequences.
The swift action taken by Target demonstrates the retailer’s commitment to customer safety and regulatory compliance.
