13 Major Canned Food Recalls That Made Headlines

Most canned goods sit quietly on pantry shelves, waiting to save dinner or survive an apocalypse. But every so often, one goes rogue.

From botulism scares to mislabeled ingredients that sent shoppers into a panic, some recalls were enough to make you side-eye your soup.

These headline-grabbing blunders had customers checking expiration dates twice and tossing entire cabinets’ worth of chili.

Canned food might be convenient, but even it isn’t immune to a dramatic fall from grace.

1. SpaghettiOs Surprise Metal Pieces

Kids everywhere cried when Campbell Soup Company recalled 355,000 cans of SpaghettiOs in 2015.

The culprit? Tiny pieces of red plastic from the can lining that decided to mix with those famous O-shaped pasta pieces.

No serious injuries were reported, but parents nationwide had to find alternative lunch options for their picky eaters while the company addressed the issue.

2. Bumble Bee Tuna Processing Problems

Fishy business happened in 2013 when Bumble Bee recalled a whopping 31,500 cases of tuna due to loose seals on the cans.

Loose seals meant possible contamination and spoilage that could cause life-threatening illness.

The company discovered the problem during routine quality checks at their Georgia facility, proving that sometimes it pays to be extra careful when dealing with seafood products that millions of sandwich-makers rely on daily.

3. Similac Formula Beetle Contamination

Parents panicked in 2010 when Abbott Laboratories pulled millions of containers of powdered Similac from shelves.

The recall came after small beetles were found in products from one of their manufacturing facilities.

While the FDA determined the beetle parts posed no immediate health risk, the thought of bug bits in baby formula sent caregivers scrambling for alternatives.

Abbott’s stock took a hit as consumer confidence crumbled faster than a teething biscuit.

4. Alaskan Salmon Botulism Scare

Nothing ruins dinner plans like potential botulism! In 1982, Alaskan salmon cans became ticking time bombs when improper processing at a cannery led to a massive recall.

The FDA discovered the deadly bacteria risk during routine testing. Though few actual illnesses were reported, the incident damaged consumer confidence in canned salmon for years.

Fishermen in Alaska felt the economic ripple effects as sales plummeted faster than a fishing line in deep water.

5. Menu Foods Pet Food Poison Scandal

Fur parents were devastated in 2007 when Menu Foods recalled over 60 million containers of wet pet food.

The culprit was wheat gluten contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical that caused kidney failure in cats and dogs. Tragically, thousands of beloved pets died before the source was identified.

The recall affected 95 different pet food brands and led to congressional hearings, stricter regulations, and heartbroken pet owners demanding better safety standards.

6. Bon Vivant Soup’s Deadly Botulism Outbreak

Before most of us were born, a terrifying incident changed food safety forever. In 1971, a man died after eating Bon Vivant’s canned vichyssoise soup contaminated with botulism toxin.

The FDA swiftly recalled all Bon Vivant products and shut down the company’s plant. The small company collapsed under the weight of the scandal and lawsuits.

This case directly led to stricter cannery regulations that protect consumers today, proving that sometimes tragedy drives important safety improvements.

7. Canada’s Infamous Tunagate Scandal

Political careers got crushed like tuna in 1985 when Canadian officials approved one million cans of Star-Kist tuna that had failed inspection.

Whistleblowers revealed that fisheries minister John Fraser had overruled inspectors who found the tuna rotten and decomposed.

When the story broke, Canadians were furious. Fraser resigned in disgrace, and the tainted tuna was pulled from shelves.

This scandal, nicknamed “Tunagate,” became a textbook example of government oversight failure.

8. Hill’s Science Diet’s Vitamin D Disaster

Puppy parents panicked in 2019 when Hill’s Pet Nutrition recalled canned dog food containing toxic levels of vitamin D.

The excessive vitamin caused vomiting, kidney failure, and even death in some dogs. Grieving pet owners filed lawsuits after losing their furry family members.

The company blamed a supplier for the error, but that provided little comfort to those who lost their companions. The recall expanded multiple times as more affected products were identified.

9. Grand Union Tuna’s Filthy Facilities Fiasco

Lunch boxes nationwide emptied in 1991 when FDA inspectors discovered Grand Union tuna was processed in unsanitary conditions.

The agency found insect fragments, rodent droppings, and other delightful additions to the tuna production line. Over 1 million cans were recalled after consumers reported illness.

Grand Union’s reputation sank faster than a tuna net, and sales plummeted as sandwich-makers everywhere switched brands. The company eventually improved conditions after facing hefty fines.

10. Castleberry’s Chili and Stew Botulism Threat

Summer barbecue plans changed dramatically in 2007 when Castleberry Food Company recalled over 90 different products.

The FDA found potential botulism contamination in their hot dog chili sauce, which expanded to include stews, hash, and other canned items. Four cases of botulism poisoning were confirmed before the recall.

The company’s processing equipment had malfunctioned, allowing deadly bacteria to survive. Their Augusta, Georgia plant closed for months during cleanup and reengineering.

11. Tri-Union Seafoods’ Seam Defects

Lunch plans went sideways in 2016 when Tri-Union Seafoods recalled 107,000 cans of Chicken of the Sea tuna.

The problem? Seam defects that could allow bacterial contamination and spoilage. The company discovered the issue during routine quality checks, proving that sometimes internal systems actually work!

No illnesses were reported, but the recall caused temporary shortages and consumer anxiety. Tuna salad enthusiasts nationwide checked their pantries with newfound scrutiny.

12. Bush Brothers’ Defective Bean Cans

Backyard barbecues faced a baked bean shortage in 2017 when Bush Brothers recalled multiple varieties of their famous beans.

The culprit was defective side seams on cans that could allow bacterial contamination. The company discovered the issue through internal quality control measures.

While no illnesses were reported, the timing couldn’t have been worse, right in the middle of summer cookout season! Bean lovers nationwide had to find alternative sides for their burgers and hot dogs.

13. Del Monte’s Fiesta Corn Underprocessing Issue

Taco Tuesday took a hit in 2018 when Del Monte recalled over 64,000 cases of Fiesta Corn seasoned with red and green peppers.

The problem stemmed from underprocessing that could lead to spoilage and potential life-threatening illness.

The recall affected 25 states and 12 international locations, showing the vast reach of modern food distribution.

Thankfully, no illnesses were reported, but countless Mexican-inspired meals had to go without their colorful corn component.

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