The Biggest Nut Recalls In The History Of The U.S.

Nuts are a beloved snack, but sometimes they become the center of nationwide food safety concerns. Over the years, several major nut recalls have shaken consumer confidence and highlighted weaknesses in our U.S. food safety systems.

These recalls not only affected millions of Americans but also changed how we monitor and regulate the foods we eat every day.

1. Jif’s Massive 2022 Meltdown

Jif's Massive 2022 Meltdown
© CBS News

Panic spread through pantries nationwide when J.M. Smucker recalled millions of Jif peanut butter jars in May 2022. The beloved brand’s products tested positive for salmonella at their Kentucky manufacturing facility.

The contamination rippled through the food supply, forcing recalls of over 700 products containing Jif peanut butter. From candy to packaged snacks, the recall cost Smucker’s approximately $90 million in losses.

2. Peanut Corporation of America’s Deception

Peanut Corporation of America's Deception
© MPR News

In 2009, one of America’s most shocking food safety scandals erupted. PCA knowingly shipped salmonella-contaminated peanut products nationwide, triggering recalls of nearly 4,000 items across 46 states.

The contamination sickened 714 people and took the lives of nine Americans. Company executives later faced criminal charges, with owner Stewart Parnell sentenced to 28 years in prison for knowingly shipping tainted products.

3. Sunland’s Nut Butter Nightmare

Sunland's Nut Butter Nightmare
© NBC Montana

Organic doesn’t always mean safe—Sunland Inc. proved this in 2012 when their peanut and almond butters sparked a multi-state outbreak. The New Mexico-based company’s products, sold at Trader Joe’s and other retailers, contained dangerous salmonella bacteria.

Health officials linked 42 illnesses across 20 states to Sunland’s contaminated spreads. The FDA suspended Sunland’s registration, the first use of this power granted by the Food Safety Modernization Act.

4. Pistachio Panic of 2009

Pistachio Panic of 2009
© The Guardian

Setton Farms triggered a nutty nightmare when routine testing detected salmonella in their pistachios. The California processor, handling nearly 60 million pounds annually, recalled all pistachios processed since 2008, affecting products nationwide.

The contamination sent shockwaves through the food industry as companies scrambled to remove pistachio ice cream, trail mix, and bagged nuts from shelves.

Remarkably, quick action prevented widespread illness, with only a handful of cases reported.

5. Planters’ Peanut Peril of 2007

Planters' Peanut Peril of 2007
© CNN

Mr. Peanut faced a reputation crisis when Kraft Foods recalled their iconic Planters products due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall affected thousands of cases of honey-roasted peanuts distributed to nearly two dozen states.

The company discovered the problem through routine testing before any illnesses were reported. This proactive approach demonstrated how improved safety protocols could prevent outbreaks rather than just respond to them.

6. Diamond’s Dangerous Walnut Woes

Diamond's Dangerous Walnut Woes
© CDC

Walnuts joined the recall roster in 2014 when Diamond Foods pulled massive quantities from shelves. The culprit? Salmonella detected during routine testing at their California facility.

The recall spanned multiple products and package sizes distributed nationwide. Though no illnesses were officially linked to the contamination, the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in tree nut processing that had previously received less attention than peanut safety.

7. Wonderful Pistachios’ Not-So-Wonderful Outbreak

Wonderful Pistachios' Not-So-Wonderful Outbreak
© Delish

The largest pistachio processor in America faced a crisis in 2016 when their nuts were linked to a nine-state salmonella outbreak. Wonderful Pistachios recalled a staggering 13 million pounds of nuts, enough to fill several Olympic swimming pools!

The contamination sickened 11 people across multiple states. Investigators traced the problem to the company’s California orchards, prompting new agricultural practices to prevent bacterial contamination before processing even began.

8. Macadamia Mayhem of 2015

Macadamia Mayhem of 2015
© WNDU

Hawaii’s prized export became a health hazard when Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation recalled their products due to E. coli concerns. The contamination was discovered during routine testing at their processing facility on the Big Island.

The recall affected nuts distributed to retailers nationwide and internationally. Though no illnesses were reported, the incident damaged Hawaii’s reputation for premium nuts and highlighted how even specialty products weren’t immune to food safety concerns.

9. Blue Bell’s Hidden Pecan Problem

Blue Bell's Hidden Pecan Problem
© Bloomberg

Ice cream giant Blue Bell faced a nightmare in 2015 when their pecan-containing products tested positive for Listeria. What began as a limited recall expanded dramatically as investigators found widespread contamination throughout their facilities.

The outbreak took the lives of three people and sickened ten across four states. Though nuts weren’t the primary source, pecan-containing ice creams featured prominently in recalled products, highlighting how nuts can become vehicles for contamination in complex food products.