News Outlets Continue to Post Confusing Information on Food Recalls

Have you ever noticed recent news articles that discuss a recall or a series of old recalls.  Well, you don't know its an old recall until you read through the entire article to find that FDA had issued the notice a month or more ago.  So many times I catch a headline, like the one recently released by Newsweek,  Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products.  Initially I think, 'wow, something new', only to find out that the article discusses a series of recalls occurring over the first half of the year, with many of the items discussed, already having been removed from commerce.

Why do news outlets, and these are primarily secondary news outlets, write these articles that are not upfront and factual on the recall issues being presented?  This can only create confusion for the customer.  A person may have bought an item recently and then reads this and questions whether it is part of this recall, or forgoes buying that item because they saw a picture of that item in a story about it being recalled.  As we know, most people do not read the entire article, or basically scan it where they are not picking up the fine details.

Further, posting the same recalls over and over for months gives people a sense that our food supply is less safe.  Along with this, other news outlets will then publish the same story days or weeks later.  This echo effect than adds to consumers feeling of concern.

So why do news outlets do this?  Lazy reporting?  Clickbait?  Or is it more sinister in trying to damage a company's brand?  Whatever the reason, this type of reporting is becoming more common.  Very unfortunate for consumers and businesses alike.

Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/aldi-food-recalls-list-2025-2096171
Aldi Food Recall Update: Customers in 37 States Told to 'Discard' Products
Published Jul 08, 2025 at 12:43 PM EDT
Updated Jul 09, 2025 at 1:09 AM EDT
By Daniel Orton
Editor, Live News
Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member

Major food recalls recently announced by Aldi have impacted shoppers across 37 states, following safety alerts for undeclared allergens and contamination risks.

Popular Cracker Product Recalled When Peanut Butter Filled Labeled as Cheese Crackers

Mondelēz Global LLC announced today a voluntary recall of four carton sizes of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches (8-pack, 20-pack, and 40pack cartons of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, as well as the 20-pack RITZ Filled Cracker Sandwich Variety Pack carton) manufactured in the United States and sold nationwide. The affected cartons include individually wrapped packs that may be incorrectly labeled as Cheese variety even though the product may be a Peanut Butter variety.

The recall was initiated after Mondelēz Global LLC discovered that film packaging rolls used to package individually wrapped products containing peanut butter may contain defects due to a supplier error. Corrective actions are being taken to help ensure this issue does not recur.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mondelez-global-llc-conducts-us-voluntary-recall-four-carton-sizes-ritz-peanut-butter-cracker

Mondelēz Global LLC Conducts U.S. Voluntary Recall of Four Carton Sizes of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Due to Labeling Error
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  July 08, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared Allergen – Peanut
Company Name:  Mondelez Global LLC
Brand Name:  Ritz
Product Description:  Peanut butter cracker sandwiches

CDC MMWR - CA Botulism Outbreak Linked to Improperly Processed Home Canned Prickly Pear Cactus

CDC's MMWR reports a June 2024 botulism outbreak affecting 8 people after consuming home canned prickly pear cactus pads (nopales) that was used in salad.   Six patients were admitted to an intensive care unit, and two required invasive mechanical ventilation; all survived.  

The first victim reported persistent dizziness, blurry vision, a drooping eyelid, and difficulty swallowing. She was admitted and received mechanical ventilation within 6 hours of arrival because of impending respiratory failure; botulism was suspected because of progressive descending paralysis, a primary clinical characteristic of botulism.

"Among 31 persons who attended one or both gatherings, 10 patients sought evaluation at one of two hospitals in Fresno County (five patients at each hospital) during June 23–June 27, with illness onsets ranging from June 23 to June 27, and an interval of 1–5 days from symptom onset until evaluation (Figure 1). Eight of the 10 patients (patients A–F, H, and I) received a clinical diagnosis of botulism; the most common clinical findings included diplopia (eight patients), hoarseness (seven), dizziness (six) and difficulty swallowing (six) (Table). All patients were Hispanic or Latino, the median age was 44 years (range = 24–59 years), and five were women."

Epidemiologic investigation identified home-preserved prickly pear cactus pads (nopales) included in a homemade salad and served at both events as a food item of interest; laboratory testing confirmed the nopales salad as the source of BoNT/A."

"Patient D reported that she had prepared the nopales salad using fresh onions, fresh tomatoes, and home-preserved nopales stored in glass jars. She had prepared the empty jars by immersing them in boiling water, and then added chopped, uncooked nopales mixed with a small amount of salt. She closed the jars with new metal lids and stored them for 6 weeks in an outdoor shed behind her home. The nopales salad she had prepared was not shared outside of these gatherings. She had been home preserving foods for years using this technique, which was taught to her by friends and relatives, and said she was unaware of the risk for botulism associated with this practice."

"Foods that are not properly processed, fermented, preserved, stored, or refrigerated can facilitate C. botulinum growth and toxin production, particularly if the food is in a low-acid, unrefrigerated, and anaerobic environment (7). Home canning or fermentation of vegetables are common practices used to preserve various foods by persons from diverse backgrounds and are the most common causes of foodborne botulism in the continental United States (8–10)."


https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7424a1.htm
Foodborne Botulism Outbreak After Consumption of Home-Canned Cactus (Nopales) — Fresno County, California, June 2024

USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Idaho Establishment's Beef Jerky Product Due to Potential Plastic Foreign Material

USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky stick products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic. Product was produced by Top Notch Jerky  of Sugar City, ID.   FSIS did not request a recall because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.  The problem was discovered after the firm notified FSIS that it received consumer complaints reporting transparent pieces of plastic in the beef stick products.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-beef-jerky-stick-products-due-possible
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ready-to-eat Beef Jerky Stick Products Due to Possible Extraneous Material Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 02, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) beef jerky stick products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically plastic. FSIS did not request a recall because the affected products are no longer available for purchase.

South Carolina Establishment Recalls Turkey Bacon Products After Positive Listeria Test

Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked Oscar Mayer brand turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).  The problem was discovered after the establishment's laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Lm.

These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/kraft-heinz-foods-company-recalls-turkey-bacon-products-due-possible-listeria
Kraft Heinz Foods Company Recalls Turkey Bacon Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2025 – Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Ohio Firm Recalls Chocolate Product for Undeclared Milk

Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. of Warren, OH is recalling Wegmans Semi – Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils, because they contain undeclared milk allergen.  The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils contained a milk allergen and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. This Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the suppliers’ manufacturing process.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mellace-family-brands-california-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-allergen-wegmans-semi
Mellace Family Brands California, Inc. Issues An Allergy Alert On Undeclared Milk Allergen In Wegmans Semi-Sweet Chocolate Nonpareils
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 25, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  June 30, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Undeclared milk allergen
Company Name:  Mellace Family Brands California, Inc.
Brand Name:  Wegmans
Product Description:  Semi-sweet Chocolate

FDA Reports Cucumber-linked Salmonella Outbreak Over, No Information on Source at Farm

FDA has released notice the the Salmonella outbreak associated with cucumbers from Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida, is over. There have been 69 total cases with 22 hospitalizations.

Epidemiologic and traceback information demonstrated that cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., in Boynton Beach, Florida, were the source of illnesses in this outbreak.  As part of this investigation, FDA collected a product sample of Bedner Growers, Inc., cucumbers from a distribution center in Pennsylvania. Salmonella was detected in the sample of cucumbers. Whole Genome Sequencing analysis determined that the product sample contained Salmonella Montevideo, which matched the strain of Salmonella linked to illnesses in this outbreak.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 69
Hospitalizations: 22
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: May 29, 2025
States with Cases: AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Outbreak Investigations & Safety Advisories
FDA Human Foods Program
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cucumbers (May 2025)
CDC declares outbreak over. FDA’s investigation is complete.

Current Update
June 30, 2025

NJ Establishment Recalls Bologna Products for Mislabeling....Sliding Some Pork Into the Formulation

Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc., a Union, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna due to misbranding - the various bologna products subject to recall contain meat or poultry source materials that are not declared on the product labels.  The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of a complaint received through the OIG’s hotline. FSIS investigated the complaint and determined that the products contained source materials that were not declared on the label.

Interesting to consider how someone knew the contents of the meat products were wrong in order to file a complaint.


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/gaisers-european-style-provisions-inc--recalls-ready-eat-meat-and-poultry-bologna
Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Bologna Products Due to Misbranding

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2025 – Gaiser's European Style Provisions Inc., a Union, N.J., establishment, is recalling approximately 143,416 pounds of ready-to-eat bologna due to misbranding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The various bologna products subject to recall contain meat or poultry source materials that are not declared on the product labels.

Imported Spicy Tofu Recalled Due to Undeclared Sesame

Shang Hao Jia, Inc. of South El Monte, CA is recalling 50 cases of Danshi brand Spicy Shredded Tofu, because it may contains undeclared sesame.    The recall was initiated after it was discovered during a FDA inspection of the foreign manufacturer that product containing sesame was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/shang-hao-jia-inc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-danshi-brand-spicy-shredded-tofu
Shang Hao Jia, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Danshi Brand Spicy Shredded Tofu