Food recalls are an unfortunate but necessary part of maintaining consumer safety in today’s world. Even companies with stringent food safety practices may need to pull products due to undeclared allergens, contamination, or labeling errors. For consumers, staying informed about recalls is essential to avoid potential health risks.
To make this easier, we’ve rounded up some of the most significant food recalls in 2024 so far. These recalls span a variety of popular products, from butter and frozen waffles to green onions and coffee creamers. Here’s what you need to know about each case, and what actions you should take if you’ve purchased these items.
1. Kirkland Signature Butter
Costco has recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of Kirkland Signature butter due to a missing allergen declaration for milk. Milk is one of the eight major food allergens, and this omission could pose serious risks to those with milk allergies.
Affected Products
- Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter:
- Lot #2424091 (Best by Feb. 22, 2025)
- Lot #2424111 (Best by Feb. 23, 2025)
- Lot #2426891 (Best by March 22, 2025)
- Lot #2426991 (Best by March 23, 2025)
- Salted Sweet Cream Butter:
- Lot #2424191 (Best by Feb. 23, 2025)
- Lot #2427591 (Best by March 29, 2025)
What to Do: Return the product to Costco for a refund or discard it if you or someone in your household is allergic to milk.
2. Wegmans Large Asian Sesame Salad
Wegmans has recalled its Large Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken due to undeclared egg content. This poses a risk to individuals with egg allergies.
Details
- UPC: Starts with 2-27306
- Packing Dates: Nov. 5 through Nov. 8, 2024
- Sell By Dates: Nov. 7 through Nov. 10, 2024
What to Do: Customers can return the salad to their nearest Wegmans for a full refund.
3. Savencia Cheese Products
Several brands of soft ripened cheeses have been recalled by Savencia Cheese USA over potential Listeria contamination, a harmful bacteria that can cause severe foodborne illnesses.
Impacted Brands
- Aldi Emporium Selection Brie
- Supreme Oval
- La Bonne Vie Brie and Camembert
- Market Basket Brie
- Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie
What to Do: Check your cheese packaging for matching UPCs and best by dates listed in the recall notice. Return affected products to the store of purchase.
4. International Delight Zero Sugar Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer
More than 10,000 bottles of International Delight’s “Home Alone” Zero Sugar Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer were mislabeled and contain sugar. This mistake can be dangerous for those needing to avoid sugar for medical reasons.
Details
- Best By Date: Feb. 25, 2025
- Distribution Areas: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin
What to Do: Return the creamer to the store or dispose of it.
5. Frozen Waffles
Supplier TreeHouse Foods has recalled various brands of frozen waffles due to potential Listeria contamination.
Impacted Brands
- Kodiak Cakes
- Walmart’s Great Value
- Aldi’s Breakfast Best
- Target’s Good & Gather
Distribution
Recalled waffles were sold in the United States and Canada.
What to Do: Check lot codes and best by dates provided in the recall notice. Return or discard affected products.
6. Trader Joe’s Green Onions
Trader Joe’s recalled 1,271 cases of green onions due to potential Salmonella contamination.
Details
- Pack Date: Sept. 25, 2024
- States Affected: Includes Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, and more.
What to Do: Discard the green onions or return them to Trader Joe’s for a refund.
7. Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade
Coca-Cola recalled more than 13,000 cases of Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade because cans were found to contain the full-sugar version, posing risks for those with sugar sensitivities.
Details
- Codes: FEB1725CNA and FEB1725CNB
- Distribution: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio
What to Do: Coca-Cola states that impacted products have been removed from shelves, but consumers should check their cans and return affected ones for a refund.
Conclusion
Food recalls highlight the importance of staying informed as a consumer. From mislabeled allergens to bacterial contamination, these issues can have serious health implications if ignored.
By frequently checking recall notices on official FDA or USDA websites or bookmarking resources like this page you can ensure your pantry remains safe for everyone in your household.
FAQs
1. How can I stay updated on food recalls?
You can regularly check recall notices on the FDA website or the USDA’s FSIS website. News outlets and consumer blogs also provide updates.
2. What should I do if I have a recalled product?
Stop consuming the product immediately. Follow the recall instructions—usually, you can return the item to the retailer for a full refund or dispose of it safely.
3. Are food recalls common?
Yes, food recalls occur frequently. They are part of a robust safety system to protect consumers from potential health risks.
4. Can I get sick from consuming recalled food?
It depends on the reason for the recall. For example, food contaminated with bacteria like Listeria or Salmonella can cause illness, while undeclared allergens pose risks to those with specific sensitivities.
5. What happens if a company ignores a food safety issue?
Regulatory bodies like the FDA or USDA can enforce recalls, issue fines, or take legal action against companies that fail to address food safety violations.
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