You might want to check your freezer if you’ve been to Target recently. The retail giant is pulling its Favorite Day Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake from stores in five states. The reason? Hidden pecans. Dessert Holdings, the company that makes the cheesecake for Target, found that some packages don’t mention pecans on the label. This is a big problem for people with nut allergies who might eat the cheesecake without knowing what’s in it. The recall affects stores in California, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas, where the cheesecake was sold between February 14 and March 7, 2025.
What exactly is being recalled from Target
The specific product being recalled is the Favorite Day Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake that comes in a 6-ounce package with two slices. If you’ve bought this item, you’ll want to look for the lot code 25028A1 000039133 and UPC 0 85239 09690 1, which you can find on the packaging. The problem started when a customer complained on March 14 that their cheesecake contained pecans, even though the packaging didn’t mention nuts at all. After investigating, Target confirmed the issue and quickly initiated the recall process.
For people with a tree nut allergy, eating these mislabeled cheesecakes could trigger serious or even life-threatening reactions. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is treating this as an important recall. So far, no illnesses have been reported from people eating the cheesecake, which is good news. But Target isn’t taking any chances and has already pulled all affected products from store shelves to prevent further sales.
Which Target stores are affected by the recall
The recall isn’t happening at every Target store across the country. Only stores in five specific states received the mislabeled cheesecakes: California, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and Texas. If you live in one of these states and shopped at Target between mid-February and early March, you might have purchased the affected product. The cheesecakes were sent to Target Distribution Centers in these states between February 14 and March 7, 2025, and then distributed to individual stores.
Target has a good tracking system for its products, which is why they can be so specific about which states are affected. If you live in another state, your local Target stores shouldn’t have received any of the recalled cheesecakes. But if you traveled to one of the five affected states during this period and brought some cheesecake home with you, you’ll still want to check the product information to be safe.
How to identify if you have the recalled cheesecake
Finding out if your cheesecake is part of the recall is pretty simple. First, check if it’s the Favorite Day brand Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake. It comes in a clear container with two slices, totaling 6 ounces. Then, look for the lot code 25028A1 000039133 and UPC 0 85239 09690 1 on the side of the package. If these numbers match your package, your cheesecake is part of the recall. It doesn’t matter if the package is opened or unopened – if the numbers match, don’t eat it.
The affected cheesecakes were sold between February 14 and March 7, but since cheesecake can be frozen and saved for later, Target is concerned some customers might still have the product at home. The packaging issue has been fixed for future production, but any cheesecakes from the affected batch that were already sold need to be returned or thrown away. With a shelf life of several months when frozen, some customers might not have eaten their purchased cheesecake yet.
Why pecans in cheesecake are a serious concern
Tree nut allergies are among the most common food allergies in the United States, and they can cause severe reactions in sensitive individuals. When someone with a pecan allergy eats even a small amount of the nut, their immune system can overreact in dangerous ways. Symptoms can range from mild (like hives or an itchy mouth) to severe (like trouble breathing or a drop in blood pressure). In the worst cases, eating pecans can trigger anaphylaxis – a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
That’s why food labeling laws are so strict about declaring allergens. Companies must clearly state if their products contain or might contain common allergens like tree nuts. When pecans aren’t listed on the label, people with allergies have no way to know the food isn’t safe for them. Someone with a severe pecan allergy might buy the cheesecake, thinking it’s safe to eat, and then have a serious reaction. This is exactly what this recall is trying to prevent.
What to do if you have the recalled product
If you find the recalled cheesecake in your home, don’t eat it – even if you don’t have a nut allergy. The safest thing to do is return it to Target for a full refund. You don’t need to have a receipt to get your money back for this recalled item. Simply bring the product (or even just the packaging with the lot code) to any Target store, and they’ll process your refund. If you’ve already eaten some of the cheesecake and you have a nut allergy, watch for any signs of an allergic reaction. If you notice any symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
You can also contact Target Guest Relations directly at (800) 444-0680 if you have any questions about the recall process. They can help you confirm whether your product is affected and guide you through getting a refund. If you prefer, you can also contact the manufacturer, Dessert Holdings, at (720) 766-9060 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time) or by email at marketing@dessertholdings.com.
Has anyone gotten sick from the cheesecake
So far, there have been no reports of illnesses related to the recalled cheesecake. This is good news, but it doesn’t mean the recall isn’t serious. The discovery happened because of a customer complaint about finding pecans in the product, not because someone got sick. That customer likely didn’t have a nut allergy, or they might have noticed symptoms. The fact that Target is recalling the product before anyone has reported getting sick shows they’re being cautious and responsible about food safety.
The FDA takes allergen mislabeling very seriously because of the potential dangers. Even though no one has gotten sick yet, the recall is mandatory because of the risk to people with allergies. Tree nut allergies affect millions of Americans, and the reaction can be sudden and severe. Target and Dessert Holdings are working together to make sure all affected products are removed from stores and that consumers are aware of the risk.
How Target is handling the situation
Target has responded quickly to this issue. As soon as they confirmed the problem, they pulled all remaining affected cheesecakes from store shelves. They’ve also set up special procedures at their customer service desks to handle returns and refunds for this product. Target employees have been instructed to accept returns of the recalled cheesecake even without a receipt, which makes it easier for customers to get their money back. The company is working closely with Dessert Holdings, the manufacturer, to make sure the problem doesn’t happen again.
The retailer has also posted notices in stores and online to alert customers about the recall. Target’s website now includes information about the affected product, with pictures to help customers identify it. This transparent approach helps build trust with shoppers who might be concerned about food safety. Target has confirmed that the labeling issue has been fixed for future batches of the cheesecake, so new products on store shelves should have accurate ingredient lists.
If you’ve purchased the Favorite Day Gourmet New York Style Cheesecake from Target recently, take a moment to check if it’s part of this recall. The process is simple: look for the specific lot code on the package, and if it matches, return it to any Target store for a full refund. Even if you don’t have a nut allergy, it’s best not to consume recalled products. Target and Dessert Holdings are taking all the right steps to protect consumers, and their quick response shows they take food safety seriously.
