Food Recall List Shows Warnings in Place for 4th of July

Ahead of the popular Fourth of July holiday, a number of different food products have been recalled by U.S. agencies, for a wide variety of reasons.

Thursday is the Fourth of July, or Independence Day, when many Americans are given the day off from work and school to celebrate the nation’s birthday. On the holiday, many Americans gather together to celebrate with barbecues and other parties, where many different foods are served, such as hamburgers, hotdogs, salads and ice creams.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a number of different product recalls over the past year for many different reasons. Newsweek has compiled a list of some recalls since January for products that are often consumed on the Fourth of July holiday.

Salads:

On June 21, the FDA announced a recall for Fresh Spinach produced by Solata Foods LLC. of Newburgh, New York. The recall was prompted by concerns that the product could be contaminated with “listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”

The products were sold in local stores across New York, the recall said.

On May 31, the FDA issued a recall for whole cucumbers from Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida. The products were sold in several different states from May 17 to May 21 and were recalled over concerns that they could be contaminated with salmonella.

On May 17, the Reser’s Fine Foods company issued a recall for Aldi Deli Macaroni Salad. The products have a use-by date of June 3, 2024.

“The incorrect label does not include an allergen callout for wheat,” the FDA said. “The salad was distributed to ALDI locations in the following states: AL, CT, FL, GA, LA, MA, MS, NC, NH, NY, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT.”

On April 10, 43 cases of “Kowalski Simply Sides – Jack’s Potato Salad,” produced by Home Style Foods, Inc., of Hamtramck, Michigan, were recalled by the FDA, “due to an incorrect label resulting in an undeclared egg allergen.”

The recalled products were sold in 25 different stores across Michigan, including 21 Kroger locations.

On February 8, a number of Dole-branded and “private label” salad kits were recalled over concerns “for the possible presence of listeria monocytogenes.” The products were sold at stores in numerous U.S. states throughout February.

Ice Creams:

On June 21, the FDA issued a recall for several ice cream brands produced by Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland. The recall was issued over concerns that the products could be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. “Products were distributed nationwide, and available in retail locations and direct delivery,” the FDA said.

On April 9, “4-ounce packages of Ice Cream Sandwiches and 5-liter containers and 4.75-liter pans of Gelato,” produced by Belgian Yummies of Fort Myers, Florida, were recalled by the FDA over concerns that they contained “undeclared allergens.”

“People who have allergies to wheat, soy, egg, coconut, and/or peanuts or have a sensitivity to FD&C Yellow #5 run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products,” the FDA said.

On January 30, Byrne Dairy, Inc. of Syracuse, New York, announced a recall for its “Byrne Dairy Mighty Fine Chocolate Ice Cream in half-gallon cartons with a Last Date of Sale of 10/4/2024,” over concerns that they may contain undeclared peanuts.

The recalled products were sold at a number of different stores across upstate New York, the FDA said.

Other Products:

On June 3, the FDA announced a recall for ground black pepper produced by UBC Food Distributors in Dearborn, Michigan. The product was recalled over concerns that it could be contaminated with salmonella, “an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune system.”

“The recalled ‘black pepper’ were distributed nationwide in retail stores,” the FDA said.

On February 7, the FDA announced a recall for “Rojo’s Black Bean 6 Layer Dip 2-20oz Club Pack,” from Simply Fresh LLC.

“This voluntary recall is being initiated as a result of the Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. recall of cotija cheese due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes,” the recall announcement said.

Newsweek reached out to the FDA via email for comment.