January could be dubbed the month of recalls for popular grocery chain, Walmart, as multiple notices recalling a variety of products had been sent out by the company. The grocer had just recently issued a recall for packaged broccoli sold across 20 states at the end of December citing a potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. There is no rest in retail, particularly when food is involved and the company is now issuing multiple recalls of products amidst concerns of undisclosed allergens, packaging issues, and more.
Latest FDA declaration
In 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration declared sesame as the ninth major food allergen with the previous eight being milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. As a result several manufacturers have had to put out recall notices for undisclosed allergens on their packaging. The most recent instance of this was the recall for La Fiesta brand seasoned and unseasoned breadcrumb packs.
Now in the recall spotlight is popular retail chain, Walmart, as it has sent out multiple recall notices to customers for various reasons. According to NewsWeek, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has shared statistics that claim “food allergies impact an estimated 15 million people in the U.S. and are responsible for approximately 30,000 emergency department visits and 150–200 deaths annually.”
Visit customer services at your nearest Walmart to return these products
Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks
The Gerber Products Company has issued a recall on January 31 for its ‘Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks’ as it could be a potential choking hazard if consumed by babies and toddlers.
This product was stocked at all Walmart branches.
Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix
The Quaker Oats Company sent out a notice to customers informing them that a specific batch of 2-pound packages of ‘Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix’ is being recalled due to labelling issues. The January 15 notice stated that the products in question contained milk that was not disclosed on the label. Though not sold in every Walmart store, the mislabeled product was sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Great Value Chicken Broth
48 ounce ‘Great Value, Chicken Broth’ packages were recalled by parent company, Tree House Food, in a notice sent out on January 14. The company issued the recall after picking up on a potential oversight in its packaging that could cause the product to spoil.
Branches in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas sold this item.
Chicken Empanadas
The Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) sent out a recall notice on January 9 for chicken empanada products sold at certain stores of the retailer. The reason for the recall was twofold — the product was mislabeled and it contained an undisclosed allergen in the ingredients. The FSIS announcement stated, “The product labeled as Chicken Curry Empanadas may actually contain Apple Cinnamon Empanadas, which contain milk, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label.”
Braga Fresh Broccoli Florets
Braga Fresh issued a preemptive recall of their ‘washed and ready-to-eat Marketside Broccoli Florets’ after the Texas Health and Human Services conducted a routine test that revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product. To prevent serious health consequences (that could even lead to death), the FDA elevated the recall to a Class I risk on January 27. The product was sold at Walmart stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Company perspective
An online statement from the retailer states that “Walmart and Sam’s Club are committed to the health and safety of our customers and members and to providing products that are safe and compliant, all supported by our health and wellness, product safety, and food safety professionals. In the event of a product recall, we work swiftly to block the item from being sold and remove it from our stores and clubs.”