Food recalls
Food recalls in December 2020
The FDA listed 41 food recalls in its December 2020 Enforcement Reports, 18 more than in November 2020 (23) and 11 fewer than in December 2019 (52). 16 were Class I, the most serious kind. The most common reason was allergen not on the label (12).
Food recalls
41
Reports through December 30, 2020
Class I, the most serious
16
Could cause serious harm or death
November 2020
23
52 in December 2019
Every food recall in December 2020
Newest first, by the date of the weekly FDA Enforcement Report that first listed it. FDA's own words are in quotes.
-
Class I (most serious)
Maribel's Sweets, Inc. (Brooklyn, NY): CACAO MARKET MARIE BELLE NEW YORK
Allergen not on the label. “Product contains undeclared milk.”
-
Class II
Flowers Foods (Corporate Offices) (Thomasville, GA): CANYON BAKEHOUSE GLUTEN FREE BAGELS EVERYTHING NET WT (2 products)
“The firm discovered that some of their products showed higher than acceptable levels of gluten. They placed the product on hold for destruction however, one shipper sent products into commerce for distribution.”
-
Class II
George DeLallo Co. Inc. New Stanton Warehouse and Production (Mount Pleasant, PA): Provolini Antipasta Net Wt
Allergen not on the label. “Product mis-packaging which lead to undeclared milk”
-
Class II
Shenandoah Growers, Inc. (Rockingham, VA): Organic fresh cut basil packaged in plastic clamshell containers The Fresh Market Organic Basil NET WT 0.5oz (14g)
Other germs or toxins (botulism, hepatitis A, mold...). “Possible contamination with Cyclospora”
-
Class II
Vallarta Organics LLC (Coral Gables, FL): Organic Basil
Other germs or toxins (botulism, hepatitis A, mold...). “Possible contamination with Cyclospora”
-
Class III (least serious)
Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc (Monterey, CA): Presidents Choice Coleslaw 14 oz
Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems. “CCP deviation with the wash process”
-
Class III (least serious)
Meijer Distribution (Grand Rapids, MI): True Goodness by Meijer Organic Green Peas Frozen 10 Oz plastic bag UPC 7-08820-73708-2
“Product may contain nightshade”
-
Class I (most serious)
George DeLallo Co. Inc. New Stanton Warehouse and Production (Mount Pleasant, PA): Holiday Cookie Platter packaged in plastic container 20 OZ (1.25 LB) 567g
Allergen not on the label. “Undeclared pecans due to mis-labeling”
-
Class I (most serious)
Market of Choice Inc (Eugene, OR): Market of Choice brand Sour Cherry Baked Brie is wrapped in a plastic shrink wrap and has a white adhesive store label
Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems. “Sour Cherry Baked Brie was recalled because the scale label, which was printed at retail stores, do not list almond.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Treehouse Foods (Oak Brook, IL): HOUSE RECIPE HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING & DIP NET WT 1 OZ.(28g) cup CONTAINS
Allergen not on the label. “The firm was notified via a consumer complaint that the product contains the Lite Honey Mustard instead of the regular Honey Mustard. The Lite Honey Mustard contains milk which is not listed on the label.”
-
Class II
Dreyers Grand Ice Cream, Inc. (Oakland, CA): Outshine Fruit & Cream Bars - Creamy Pineapple Coconut 6 fruit and dairy bars
Metal, plastic, glass or other objects. “Firm received complaints of foreign material in ice cream bars.”
-
Class II
Fusion Health and Vitality LLC (Alpharetta, GA): PHARMORIGINS CORE with Natural Orange Flavor NATURAL ENERGY and IMMUNE HEALTH Dietary Supplement 30 Servings (45g)...
Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems. “The firm is recalling their products due the unapproved use of a food additive and unapproved marketing statements”
-
Class II
Out of the Kitchen, LLC (Prairie Du Sac, WI): Chef Mitch Maier's Black Garlic Ketchup (3 products)
Other germs or toxins (botulism, hepatitis A, mold...). “Specific Chef Mitch Maier's Black Garlic BBQ Sauces and Marinades may develop mold prior to the Best By date.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Hong Thai Foods Corp (Brooklyn, NY): Golden Boy brand Custard muffin Pandan 7.76 ounce, rigid clear plastic packages (2 products)
Allergen not on the label. “Product contain undeclared milk.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Hy-Vee Stores Inc (West des Moines, IA): Hy-Vee, Short Cuts, Pot Roast Mix sold by weight in approximate 1 lb containers, Distributed by Hy-Vee Inc, West Des... (2 products)
Listeria. “An ingredient used as an ingredient in the products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes”
-
Class I (most serious)
Kanan Enterprises Inc. (Solon, OH): On the Go Sweet & Salty Trail Mix
Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems. “Almonds were found inside packages which do not state they contain almonds.”
-
Class I (most serious)
PRAIRIE FARMS (Edwardsville, IL): Prairie Farms Premium Flavored Chocolate Milk (2 products)
Allergen not on the label. “The product contains undeclared egg.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Veg Pro International Inc (Sherrington, Canada): 1
Salmonella. “Spinach may be contaminated with Salmonella”
-
Class I (most serious)
Whole Foods Market (Austin, TX): Whole Foods Market Popcorn Chicken Shaker with Sweet Chili Variable weight sold by lb
Allergen not on the label. “Undeclared allergen (shrimp) due to product mislabeling.”
-
Class II
Pacific Coast Producers (Lodi, CA): Tomato Paste in a 6 oz.(170g) metal can Cases size varies - 12 (2 products)
Metal, plastic, glass or other objects. “Presence of metal shavings in tomato paste”
-
Class II
Riverside Natural Foods, Ltd. (Concord, Canada): Good & Gather Banana Chocolate Chip Date & Nut Bars
Allergen not on the label. “The product contains an undeclared almonds.”
-
Class II
The Kroger Co (Cincinnati, OH): HomeChef meal kit (3 products)
Listeria. “Supplier provided ingredient (pretzel breading) was SUSPECT for Listeria species, but no further confirmation was performed to confirm the suspect result. Lot number of ingredient in question: 0924032501”
-
Class II
Victoria Gourmet, Inc. (Woburn, MA): Victoria Taylor Seasonings Sicilian Seasoning/Assaisonement Sicilien
Allergen not on the label. “Product contains undeclared sesame.”
-
Class III (least serious)
JMH International, LLC (Salt Lake City, UT): Chef Myron's Szechuan Sauce (8 products)
Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems. “Product utilized a gluten-free claim but has as an ingredient a fermented soy sauce that is produced from wheat which was not processed to remove the gluten prior to fermentation.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc (Monterey, CA): Dole" Organic Romaine Hearts 3pk Organic Biologique) (UPC 0-71430-90061-1), Wild Harvest Organic Romaine Hearts
E. coli. “Pathogenic non-O157 E.coli STEC found during routine sampling by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Quantum Inc (Eugene, OR): Quantum Health branded Elderberry liquid herbal extract dietary supplement is packaged in 2oz glass bottle
Salmonella. “Product recalled due to potential contamination of Salmonella.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Tanimura & Antle (Salinas, CA): Tanimura & Antle brand Romaine lettuce
E. coli. “Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development found E.coli O157:H7 in romaine lettuce during routine sampling.”
-
Class II
CELTRADE CANADA (Mississauga, Canada): Pacific Jade Indian Curry Sauce Starter With Fenugreek and Cardamom, wholesale case with 2
Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems. “Product declared on shipping case does not match the inner packaged product. The inner packaged product contains Anchovy and anchovy is not an ingredient of the product identified on the shipping case.”
-
Class II
Homestead Creamery, Inc. (Wirtz, VA): Lemonade 1/2 gallon glass bottle
Lead or other chemicals. “Possible contamination with chlorine sanitizer”
-
Class II
J F C International Inc (Commerce, CA): YAGUMO AMANATTO GIFT BOX 6P 6/19.01 OZ JAN Code
Other germs or toxins (botulism, hepatitis A, mold...). “Ama Natto (Sugar coated sweet beans) imported from Japan contains mold or the product may develop mold prior the best before date.”
-
Class II
Sunnyside Farms (Vineland, NJ): Dole Brands, Savory Spinach Dijon
Allergen not on the label. “Sunnyside Farms 215 N. Mill Road Vineland, NJ 08360 has initiated a recall of Dole Brands, Savory Spinach Dijon, 4.9oz , 6 per case & 8 per case 150 of each because product is mislabeled with the top label stating Candied Walnut Salad. Bottom label is correct, Savory Spinach Salad.”
-
Class II
The Coca-Cola Company (Atlanta, GA): Minute Maid STRAWBERRY LEMONADE FLAVORED WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS 59 FL OZ (1.8 QT) 1.75 L PRODUCED FOR THE... (2 products)
Metal, plastic, glass or other objects. “The firm was notified via a consumer complaint that the product contained a long piece of metal.”
-
Class II
Tucson Tamale Wholesale Company, LLC (Tucson, AZ): Tucson Tamale Blue Corn & Veggie Tamales (2 Pack) (2 products)
Metal, plastic, glass or other objects. “Plastic pieces (1-2 cm) were discovered inside cans of tomatoes which were used to make two types of tamales.”
-
Class III (least serious)
BLISS TEXAS (HOUSTON, TX): BELLEFONTAINE PEANUT BUTTER & BROWNIES DAIRY FREE FROZEN DESSERT 1 PINT (473 ML) packaged in paper cup
Allergen not on the label. “The allergen peanut is included on the label, but missing from the ingredient statement.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Fresh Express Incorpated (Windermere, FL): FRESH EXPRESS KIT CAESAR SUPREME, Romaine Lettuce, Creamy Caesar Dressing, Italian Artisan Cheeses, Savory Garlic...
E. coli. “Fresh Express Kit Caesar Supreme bagged salad potentially contaminated with Escherichia coli STEC O26.”
-
Class I (most serious)
High Quality Organics (Reno, NV): HQO High Quality Organics Organic Thyme Leaves, Whole Net Weight 30 lbs.
Salmonella. “Potential Salmonella contamination.”
-
Class I (most serious)
Whole Foods Market (Austin, TX): Fried Chicken Meal with Mac & Cheese (7 products)
Allergen not on the label. “Potential to contain undeclared egg”
-
Class II
GT's Living Foods (Vernon, CA): Synergy raw kombucha - Multi-Green
“FDA Sampling found high levels of microcystins in Kombucha Multi Green.”
-
Class II
Singh Trading Inc. DBA Roshni Foods (Laurel, MD): Green Raisins 200 grams (7 oz.) Packaged in plastic bags
Other ingredient not on the label (sulfites, dyes...). “Undeclared sulfites”
-
Class II
The Neil Jones Food Company (Vancouver, WA): Sysco Arrezzio 3/8" Petite Diced Tomatoes in Tomato Puree, #7807458, each metal can has the net weight of 6.38 lbs
Metal, plastic, glass or other objects. “Recall due to presence of foreign material. Foreign object is made out of black and hard plastic.”
-
Class II
Vitamin Cottage Natural Foods Market, Inc DBA Natural Grocers (Lakewood, CO): Natural Grocers, Elderberries Whole Organic
Salmonella. “Potential contamination with Salmonella.”
Why food was recalled in December 2020
Chartly groups FDA's written reasons by their key words; each recall counts once, under its first matching reason.
| Reason | Recalls |
|---|---|
| Allergen not on the label | 12 |
| Labeling, packaging or manufacturing problems | 6 |
| Metal, plastic, glass or other objects | 5 |
| Other germs or toxins (botulism, hepatitis A, mold...) | 4 |
| Salmonella | 4 |
| E. coli | 3 |
| Listeria | 2 |
| Lead or other chemicals | 1 |
| Other ingredient not on the label (sulfites, dyes...) | 1 |
Get new charts weekly
One email a week with the newest charts and their key numbers. No account needed.
Source and notes
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Enforcement Reports (openFDA food recall data) (Public domain (U.S. government work); source U.S. Food and Drug Administration, openFDA), data as of December 30, 2020.
Each week the FDA lists the recalls it has classified in its Enforcement Report, often weeks after the company announced the recall, so a month with five weekly reports tends to count more. Each recall counts once, however many products it covers, in the month FDA first listed it. Class I means the food could cause serious harm or death, Class II temporary or minor harm, and Class III is unlikely to harm anyone. Meat, poultry and most egg products are recalled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the FDA, and aren't included. For what to do with a recalled product, see the FDA's recalls page.