8 Food Recalls Shoppers Need To Know About Right Now
Food recalls happen more often than you might think, and keeping track of potentially dangerous products is crucial for your family’s safety.
Just last week, I had to toss out some chocolate I’d been saving for a special occasion after discovering it on a recall list.
Staying informed about these recalls can help you avoid foodborne illnesses and other health risks, so let’s check out the latest products you should watch for during your next grocery trip.
1. Vampire Slayer Goes Rogue: Face Rock Creamery Cheese Curds
Who knew that fighting vampires could backfire so badly? Face Rock Creamery’s aptly named Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds have been yanked from shelves faster than a vampire retreating from sunlight. The culprit? Listeria contamination.
I was actually munching on these garlicky delights during a movie night last weekend—talk about timing! The affected products were sold in 16-ounce containers with sell-by dates ranging from March through July 2023.
If you’ve got these cheese curds lurking in your fridge, don’t risk it. Return them to the store for a full refund, or channel your inner Van Helsing and dispose of them properly. Remember, Listeria can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
2. Moo-Ve It Out: Meadow View Jerseys Raw Milk Contamination
Farm-fresh doesn’t always mean problem-free! Meadow View Jerseys has issued an urgent recall for their raw milk products after testing positive for Campylobacter bacteria. This nasty bug can cause fever, cramping, and diarrhea that’ll have you camping out in the bathroom instead of enjoying the great outdoors.
The affected milk was sold in half-gallon and gallon glass containers with expiration dates between April 10 and April 25, 2023. My neighbor swears by raw milk for her homemade yogurt, but I had to break the news to her yesterday about this recall.
If you’re a raw milk enthusiast, check your fridge immediately. Campylobacter symptoms typically appear 2-5 days after exposure and can last about a week. Anyone who’s consumed this milk and feels ill should contact their doctor pronto!
3. Sweet Surprise Gone Sour: Wegmans Chocolate Nonpareils
Chocolate lovers beware! Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils have been pulled from shelves faster than I can devour a candy bar. The issue? These sweet treats contain milk that wasn’t declared on the label—a potentially dangerous situation for those with dairy allergies.
The recalled chocolates were packaged in 18-ounce clear plastic containers with a sell-by date of March 8, 2024. I actually spotted these in my pantry during a late-night snack hunt and immediately checked the code date.
For most folks, these chocolates remain perfectly safe to eat. However, if you or someone in your household has a milk allergy, return these to Wegmans for a full refund. The company is offering exchanges and refunds, no questions asked. Better safe than sneezy!
4. Tofu Trouble: ALDI’s Spicy Shredded Surprise
Holy sesame seeds, Batman! ALDI’s Spicy Shredded Tofu products are being yanked from shelves due to undeclared sesame ingredients. As someone who once witnessed a friend’s allergic reaction to sesame, I can tell you this is no small matter!
The affected tofu was sold in 8-ounce packages with best-by dates ranging from May through August 2023. The packages look innocent enough, sitting there in the refrigerated section, but they’re harboring a secret ingredient that could send some shoppers to the emergency room.
If you’ve purchased this product and have a sesame allergy, toss it or return it to ALDI for a refund immediately. For those without sesame allergies, you’re in the clear to enjoy your spicy tofu stir-fry. Just maybe don’t serve it to guests without checking their allergy list first!
5. Truffle Trouble: Kilwins Mocha Meltdown
Attention chocolate connoisseurs! Kilwins’ decadent Mocha Truffles are being pulled from fancy candy displays nationwide. The reason? These luxurious treats contain pecan pieces that weren’t mentioned on the label—a potential nightmare for nut allergy sufferers.
The recalled truffles were sold in various gift boxes and assortments between January and April 2023. I had actually picked up a box as a birthday gift for my sister last month, but luckily checked my email before giving them to her (she’s allergic to several nuts).
For those without nut allergies, these truffles remain perfectly safe to enjoy. However, if you’re allergic to pecans or bought these as a gift for someone who might be, return them to the store for a refund. Remember, food allergies are nothing to sneeze at—they can be life-threatening!
6. Not-So-Little Problem: Honey Cough Syrup Contamination
Parents, check your medicine cabinets! Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup has been recalled due to contamination with Bacillus cereus bacteria. Just last winter, I relied on this stuff to soothe my nephew’s cough, so this news hit close to home.
The affected syrup was sold in 4-ounce bottles with lot numbers between BC2205 and BC2209, with expiration dates through September 2024. The bacteria might not affect healthy individuals much, but could pose serious risks to young children, elderly folks, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
If you have this product at home, stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer for refund information. While honey is nature’s sweetener, this batch might come with an unwanted bacterial bonus. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to medicines we give to our little ones!
7. Seafood Scare: Bornstein’s Ready-To-Eat Shrimp Crisis
Something fishy’s going on with Bornstein Seafoods! Their ready-to-eat shrimp products have been recalled due to potential Listeria contamination. The recall includes several varieties of pre-cooked shrimp sold in vacuum-sealed packages across multiple states.
I actually served these at a dinner party last month—thankfully, no one got sick! The affected products were distributed between February and April 2023 and include cocktail shrimp, shrimp rings, and peeled and deveined varieties.
Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after eating contaminated food. If you’ve got these shrimp in your freezer, toss them out or return them to the store immediately—this is one seafood special you definitely want to skip!
8. Breakfast Blunder: Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Alert
Breakfast enthusiasts, hold your frying pans! Oscar Mayer turkey bacon has joined the recall roundup due to possible Listeria contamination. As someone who literally had this in my shopping cart yesterday, I’m feeling pretty lucky I saw the news in time!
The affected products include 12-ounce packages with “Best By” dates ranging from May through August 2023. The recall was initiated after routine testing discovered the potential contamination, though no illnesses have been reported yet.
If you’ve got this turkey bacon in your refrigerator, don’t risk it—even cooking doesn’t always kill Listeria bacteria. Return the product to the store for a full refund or simply toss it out. Your morning BLT might need a substitute, but your health is worth more than a crispy breakfast side. Maybe try avocado instead?