2 Food Recalls You Need To Know About This Week

Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, August 9th 2025 at 10:50 GMT by Simply Recipes
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Check your fridge and freezer.

Urgent Food Recalls: Two Major Alerts Consumers Need to Know This Week

In the ever-vigilant world of food safety, staying informed about product recalls is crucial to protecting public health. This week, two significant food recalls have been announced by federal authorities, highlighting potential contamination risks that could lead to serious illnesses. These recalls involve popular snack items and ground beef products, affecting a wide range of consumers across multiple states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are overseeing these actions, urging people to check their pantries and refrigerators immediately. Below, we delve into the details of each recall, including the products involved, the reasons behind the alerts, potential health risks, and steps consumers should take to stay safe.

First Recall: Palmer Candy Company's White Coated Confectionary Items Due to Salmonella Risk

The first recall centers on a variety of white coated confectionary products distributed by Palmer Candy Company, a well-known manufacturer based in Sioux City, Iowa. These items, which include popular snacks like yogurt-covered pretzels, chocolate-coated almonds, and seasonal treats, have been pulled from shelves nationwide due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria. The recall was initiated after routine testing by a supplier revealed the presence of Salmonella in a liquid coating ingredient used in these products. Although no illnesses have been directly linked to this recall as of now, the potential for contamination prompted swift action to prevent any outbreaks.

Palmer Candy Company's products are sold under various brand names and are commonly found in major retail chains such as Walmart, Target, Dollar General, and Hy-Vee, as well as through distributors servicing convenience stores, grocery outlets, and wholesalers. The affected items were distributed to at least 15 states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Specific products include but are not limited to: White Coated Pretzels, Zebra Fudge Cookies, Yogurt Covered Pretzels, Strawberry Yogurt Coated Pretzels, Patriotic White Fudge Cookies, Lemon Flavored Pound Cake, and various snack mixes like Munchy Medley and Patriotic Munchy Medley. These items come in different packaging formats, such as bags, tubs, and trays, with best-by dates ranging from December 2024 to June 2025.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, a common foodborne illness. Symptoms typically appear within 12 to 72 hours after consumption and include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. While most healthy individuals recover within a week without treatment, the infection can be severe or even life-threatening for vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, it can lead to more serious complications like reactive arthritis or bloodstream infections requiring hospitalization.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are advised to dispose of them immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Palmer Candy Company has provided a dedicated hotline for questions, emphasizing their commitment to consumer safety. Retailers have been instructed to remove the affected items from shelves, and the company is working closely with the FDA to investigate the source of the contamination and prevent future occurrences. This recall underscores the importance of supply chain vigilance, as the issue originated from a third-party ingredient supplier, highlighting how interconnected the food production process can be.

Second Recall: Cargill Meat Solutions' Ground Beef Products Potentially Contaminated with E. Coli

The second major recall this week involves approximately 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef products produced by Cargill Meat Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based company and one of the largest meat processors in the U.S. These products are being recalled due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, a particularly dangerous strain of bacteria known for causing severe foodborne illness. The recall was triggered when FSIS inspectors discovered that a sample from a batch tested positive for the pathogen during routine monitoring. The affected ground beef was produced on April 26 and 27, 2024, and distributed to Walmart stores in several states, primarily in the Northeast and Southeast regions, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The recalled items include various packages of ground beef with different fat contents, such as 85% lean/15% fat, 80% lean/20% fat, and 73% lean/27% fat, sold in plastic-wrapped trays. They bear the establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label, along with use-by or freeze-by dates of May 11 through May 13, 2024. Specific product names include "All Natural Lean Ground Beef," "Prime Rib Beef Steak Burgers Patty Mix," and "Black Angus Beef Patties," among others. These products were shipped to retail locations where they might still be available for purchase or already in consumers' freezers.

E. coli O157:H7 is notorious for producing Shiga toxin, which can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure, especially in children under five and older adults. Symptoms of E. coli infection often include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and mild fever, appearing within 3 to 4 days of exposure. In some cases, it can result in hospitalization or long-term health issues. No confirmed illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, but the FSIS classifies it as a Class I recall, indicating a high health risk where there is a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death.

Consumers are strongly urged not to consume these products. Instead, they should throw them away or return them to the store for a refund. Cooking ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F can kill E. coli, but since contamination may not be uniform, it's safest to avoid the recalled items altogether. Cargill Meat Solutions is cooperating with the FSIS investigation, which may involve tracing the contamination back to the slaughter or processing stages. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in meat production, where bacteria like E. coli can enter the supply chain through various means, such as animal feces during slaughter or cross-contamination in facilities.

Broader Implications and Consumer Advice

These two recalls, while unrelated, illustrate the diverse risks in our food system—from bacterial contamination in processed snacks to pathogens in raw meat. They affect everyday items that families rely on, emphasizing why regular checks of recall notices from the FDA and FSIS are essential. Consumers can stay updated by visiting the agencies' websites, signing up for email alerts, or using apps that track food safety announcements. In both cases, the absence of reported illnesses so far is fortunate, but proactive measures are key to preventing outbreaks.

If you experience symptoms after consuming potentially affected products, seek medical attention promptly and report it to local health authorities or the FDA's consumer complaint coordinator. Retailers and manufacturers play a vital role in these scenarios, but ultimate responsibility lies with informed consumers. By discarding recalled items and practicing safe food handling—such as washing hands, cooking meats thoroughly, and avoiding cross-contamination—you can minimize risks. These events also highlight the need for stronger regulatory oversight and innovation in food safety technologies, like advanced pathogen detection methods, to safeguard public health in an increasingly complex global food supply chain.

In summary, the Palmer Candy recall involves Salmonella-tainted white coated snacks distributed widely, while the Cargill recall targets E. coli-contaminated ground beef sold at Walmart. Both pose significant health threats, and immediate action is recommended. Staying vigilant about such alerts can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your loved ones. (Word count: 1,248)

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