Soup season may be ending but be sure to check your pantries for any oyster crackers as they might potentially be contaminated with metal which could lead to injury or health complications. The FDA recently issued a recall notice for a popular snack that had been sold at Walmart and several other supermarket stores.
FDA issues recall on crackers
Well over 15,000 cases of oyster crackers have been recalled after a notice was sent out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall was announced after stainless steel wire was discovered to have contaminated the product. The recalled oyster crackers were sold at Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle under various labels. The metal contamination can “pose a tooth injury and choking hazard, and a GI tract injury.”
The notice of recall was sent out by the FDA on February 21, 2025 and later received a Class II classification on March 11. A Class II classification is a moderately severe status level and may cause “temporary or reversible health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
The oyster crackers were produced by Shearer’s Foods LLC of Massillon, Ohio and is packaged and labeled under a variety of brand names. Shearer’s Foods issued the recall after foreign materials was discovered in the product. Instead of issuing a press release, the manufacturer opted to email sellers directly regarding the metal contamination in the product.
The tainted item was sold at Walmart, Giant Eagle, and Target in the following states:
- Alabama
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Additionally, 20-pound bulk packages of the recalled oyster crackers were also produced, however, these were not intended for retail sale.
How to identify the recalled product
Since the crackers were produced for various retailers, there are several store brand packaging labels to look out for. For Target, the crackers were labeled as Market Pantry Soup & Oyster Crackers. Walmart’s crackers fall under the Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers. Lastly, the Giant Eagle brand crackers feature a Giant Eagle Oyster Crackers label. The additional bulk offering of crackers can be identified by its Vista Soup & Oyster Crackers packaging.
If have recently purchased oyster crackers from any of these stores, keep an eye out for the following details so as to identify if your product is part of the recall:
- Market Pantry Soup & Oyster Crackers: UPC 085239114933, Sell-By Date May 23, 2025; Code Date May 23, 2025 BC06
- Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers: UPC 078742085494; Sell-By Date May 23, 2025; Code Date May 23, 2025 ABO6, May 23, 2025 BBO6, May 23, 2025 CBO6
- Giant Eagle Oyster Crackers: UPC: 030034915087; Best-By Date May 24, 2025; Code Date May 24, 2025 AB06
- Vista Soup & Oyster Crackers: UPC 045100008006; Best-By Date May 24, 2025; Code Date May 24, 2025 AB06
- 20lb. Bulk Oyster Crackers: UPC 10045100400203; Best By May 24, 2025; Code Date May 24, 2025 AB06, May 24, 2025 BB06
What to do if you have the recalled product
The recalled oyster crackers have likely been taken off the shelves already as the recall notice was initially sent out by Shearer’s Foods in February. However, since this is a non-perishable or shelf stable food, it is more than possible that consumers may have purchased it in advance to stock in their pantries. As such, if a shopper finds themselves in possession of the recalled oyster crackers, they should discard of it immediately. Alternatively, shoppers can return the contaminated product to the store from which they purchased it, in exchange for a refund.
This recall was sent out on the FDA’s Enforcement Reports page, rather than its regular recall page. As such, it is not currently known if there have been any illnesses or injury reported as a result of the stainless steel wire contamination.