A dizzying number of food recalls have been issued recently across the country. Even plant-based frozen meat products and pouches of organic fruit have been affected.
The recalls are in addition to recent concerns over lettuce and its potential link to the massive cyclospora outbreak. Health officials are advising consumers to avoid bagged lettuces and greens and opt for whole heads of those produce items.
The recent egg recall involves certain brands, including Kroger’s Simple Truth-labeled eggs and other Kroger brands. Seventeen states have reported illnesses linked to the egg recall, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lettuce is displayed for sale, amid reports of slumping consumer confidence in lettuce and other fresh produce during the current cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across the U.S., at a grocery store in Washington, D.C., July 24.
On Aug. 4, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced jalapeños were removed from some of its restaurants after being made aware that the FDA and Minnesota Department of Health were investigating the source of a salmonella outbreak. An epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne Diseases Unit told USA Today that there are 110 cases of Salmonella Javiana linked to the outbreak. Of those cases, 89% of the people interviewed said they ate food from Chipotle before getting sick.
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A Chipotle statement on food safety on its website said jalapenos were removed "out of an abundance of caution" and after identifying the peppers as a "potential common ingredient from a common lot."
Chipotle replaced the jalapenos with product from a different grower. Jalapenos are an ingredient in Chipotle's guacamole, fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa and tomatillo salsa.
Each year, the CDC estimates that 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness. Of those sickened, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 people die.
Reasons for recalling products range from bacterial contamination like E. coli, salmonella and listeria to undeclared allergens or ingredients and foreign objects in products. Some recalls stem from a recall of another product that's used as an ingredient in other products.
What to know about current food recalls listed by the FDA
Iceberg lettuce
Taylor Farms, a huge producer of bag salads under several brands, issued a voluntary recall. Taylor Farms is withdrawing from U.S. markets and foodservice iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico because of the possible cyclospora contamination. Taylor Farms' recalled products include Walmart’s Marketside brand of shredded iceberg lettuce (8-ounce or 16-ounce) and iceberg salad (12-ounce or 24-ounce). The lettuce has “best if used by dates of July 18, 2026, through Aug. 3, 2026.
Eggs
Health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of “salmonella enteritidis” infections linked to eggs, prompting a massive recall. Midwest Poultry Services L.P., based in Indiana, is voluntarily recalling nearly 1.6 million cartons of eggs, or about 19 million eggs, because of potential salmonella. Seventeen states, including Michigan, have reported illnesses, officials with the CDC said. The recall involves both brown and white eggs, produced at Texas farms and distributed by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., based in Indiana, because of potential salmonella contamination.
Fruit pouches
Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics Banana & Strawberry pouches. This voluntary recall is due to the possible presence of soft plaster in the finished product. The 4-ounce pouches have these codes:
Barcode: 8 15367 01078 0
Lane number – identified by the number ‘4’ printed on the rear right-hand side seam.
Best before dates are: 01/19/2027, 01/20/2027, 03/17/2027, 03/18/2027, 05/14/2027, or 05/15/2027.
MorningStar Farms
The maker of plant-based items is voluntarily recalling two products because of possible plastic pieces in the food. Recalled items are its Buffalo Chik’n Nuggets in a 10.5-ounce package and its Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties in 8-ounce packages. The products have “best if used by dates” of July 5, 6, 7, and 8 of 2027.
Amy’s Organic Soups
Amy’s Kitchen, Inc., is recalling its “Organic Lentil, Light in Sodium” soup because of the potential for spoilage due to a manufacturers defect in the pull tab to open the can. More than 180,000 of the soup in 14.5 ounce size in a single lot number 60D0924 are part of the recall. More than 20 states are in the FDA’s Enforcement Reports distribution pattern. The cans have a "Best Before" date of April 2027.
Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread
Champion Foods LLC, based in New Boston, Michigan, voluntarily recalled specific batches of its Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread because of possible salmonella contamination. This is due to a recall by California Dairies, Inc., of milk powder due to a concern of potential Salmonella contamination. According to the recall alert, a seasoning blend that Champion uses in its 5-cheese sauce blend uses the milk powder supplied by a third-party manufacturer. Champion’s 5 Cheese Bread with specific code numbers and use by dates were distributed and sold nationwide to retailers including Costco, Kroger, Meijer, Target and Walmart as well as others.
Jones Dairy Farm Chicken Sausage Links
These products are being recalled by Costco because of a packaging error. According to Costco, they’ve identified that “a small amount of pork links, product #1211239, were introduced while packing the referenced chicken links.” The recall is for a limited number of products in its Midwest region with a “use by” date 04-29-27. Costco says it issued the recall for consumers who can’t eat pork or have pork dietary restrictions.
Steps to take if you have a recalled food product
In most recalls, the FDA advises tossing out or returning any food product to the retailer that’s been recalled.
If you've already prepared a recalled food item in your kitchen or still have it in your refrigerator or freezer, it's important to throw out the food. It’s also important to clean your refrigerator, freezer and/or areas where the food was stored. Make sure you clean around your kitchen, pantry, cupboards, as well as the refrigerator and freezer.
Steps the FDA advises for cleaning areas that may have been in contact with contaminated food
Throw out the recalled food and any food stored with it or that came in contact with it. Place it in a sealed bag. If it was in a separate container, wash the container with hot soapy water before reusing.
Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops and any utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods.
Sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.
Wash and sanitize surfaces used to serve or store potentially contaminated products.
Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
Consumers can find a list of current food and beverage recalls at fda.gov. Most grocery store and warehouse clubs like Costco list product recalls on their websites. Looks for them under the help or company information area.
