Walmart has recalled thousands of cartons of chicken broth over concerns the product’s packaging was compromised and could lead to potential spoilage.
Newsweek has reached out to Walmart via online email form for comment on Saturday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Recalls can be issued for a variety of reasons, from undeclared allergens to plastic and bacterial contamination. Food recalls caused by compromised packaging can have significant impacts on public health, consumer trust, and the food industry as it can lead to contamination, such as bacterial growth or foreign material infiltration, posing risks of foodborne illnesses.
What To Know
Walmart has recalled more than 12,000 cartons of Great Value brand of chicken broth in 48-ounce containers across several states amid fears that packaging failures “could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage.”
The recall was initiated on December 11 but was published on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website on January 8.
According to the FDA’s announcement, the recalled cartons were sent to stores in Alabama and Arkansas, but in a Friday statement sent to Fox News Digital, Walmart said that a total of 242 stores in nine states were impacted.
The affected states include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Tennessee
- Texas
“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. As soon as we were made aware of the issue, we took action to remove all impacted product from the select, impacted stores. We are continuing to work with the supplier to investigate,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The broth had a best used by date of March 25, 2026, and the cartons are printed with the UPC code “007874206684.”
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
What Is Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is a savory liquid, most commonly used for soups and sauces, and is made by simmering chicken and spices. While some people like to make the broth themselves, others will opt to buy the broth already prepared.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, once chicken broth is opened, it can be refrigerated for three to four days and frozen for two to three months. However, unopened broth can last for years in a pantry.
Similar Walmart Recalls
Two products sold in Walmart stores have been voluntarily recalled in recent weeks, with hundreds of locations carrying the items.
The two products—Braga Fresh broccoli and chips produced by Frito-Lays—were recalled in December via FDA.
The broccoli was recalled due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that can cause food poisoning and can be particularly harmful to certain groups, including the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.
The chips were recalled due to the presence of milk, a major allergen, which was not declared on the product packaging.
What People Are Saying
Teresa Murray, the consumer watchdog director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, previously told Newsweek: “Consider shopping only at stores that have a good recall notification policy. This is especially important if you buy products that are frequently recalled such as produce, or if there are people in your home with severe allergies, or children, pregnant women, elderly people or anyone who is immunocompromised, who are most likely to get really sick from foodborne contamination.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek: “Some of the reasons for the frequency of these recalls is actually a good thing for the industry and consumers. Recalls have been increasing due to enhanced detection methods, better reporting, and stricter food safety standards, which make it easier to identify contaminants. Consumers need to always check recall notifications and immediately report any suspicious contamination to manufacturers or regulatory agencies.”
What To Know
While there have been no reports of any customers getting sick as of yet, a Walmart spokesperson urged consumers to discard the recalled product and request a full refund, Fox News reported.