Biggest Food Recalls in History

In 2009, the Peanut Corporation of America was involved in a massive salmonella outbreak that affected over 700 people in 46 states. The outbreak was traced back to contaminated peanut butter produced by the company. The company was eventually found guilty of knowingly shipping contaminated products and was forced to pay over $100 million in fines and damages.

The company's former owner and president, Stewart Parnel, was also sentenced to 28 years in prison for his part in the outbreak. The company was found guilty of criminal negligence and was forced to pay millions of dollars in fines and damages. The outbreak also led to the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which significantly increased the safety standards for food production in the United States.

In 2015, Blue Bell Ice Cream was involved in a listeria outbreak that affected several people in multiple states. The company recalled all of its products and temporarily shut down its production facilities. Blue Bell implemented a stringent testing and sanitation program to ensure that its products are safe for consumption. It also invested in new equipment and technology to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks.

Blue Bell resumed production in 2016 and has since regained its place as one of the most popular ice cream brands in the US. The company also launched a public relations campaign that included promotional discounts, new product launches, and special events. The efforts paid off and the company now enjoys a loyal customer base. Blue Bell is now the third-largest ice cream brand in the United States.

In 2010, Wright County Egg recalled over 380 million eggs due to a salmonella outbreak that affected 46 states. Nearly 1,500 people were affected due to the contamination. The source was eventually linked to the company’s facilities in Iowa. This recall led to an estimated $14 million in losses for the company.

Apparently prior to the outbreak, the FDA never inspected the farms to ensure the eggs safety. The recall resulted in many producers adopting stricter safety protocols, ultimately reducing the risk of similar outbreaks in the future. It also led to greater public awareness on food safety and the need to inspect egg producers regularly.

In 2009, Nestle recalled its Toll House cookie dough products after they were linked to an outbreak of E. coli., which had sickened over 70 people across the US. The company launched a nationwide recall on all varieties of Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products, including ready-to-bake cookie dough bars, tubs, and tubes.

The recall was issued after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had linked the outbreak to the consumption of raw cookie dough. The outbreak was eventually contained, and no further cases were reported. Despite the recall, Nestle was able to rebuild its reputation with consumers and maintain its position in the market.

In 2006, a spinach recall was issued after several people were infected with E. coli. The outbreak was traced back to spinach products sold by a California-based company. The spinach recall was a major public health concern, as the bacteria can cause severe illness and even death. The contamination was linked to a nearby cattle ranch, where animal feces had contaminated the spinach fields.

Despite this outbreak, spinach is still considered a safe and healthy food. To ensure safe consumption, spinach should be cooked thoroughly before eating and washed carefully with clean water. Additionally, it should be stored properly and consumed before the expiration date.

In 2016, Beech-Nut Nutrition recalled their Stage 1, Single Grain Rice Cereal due to high levels of arsenic. The 100 parts per billion limit was finalized in 2020. The recall was initiated due to the discovery of potential contamination in certain batches of Beech-Nut Nutrition baby food. The company found that there was a possibility of foreign matter, such as small pieces of glass, being present in the affected products.

Although there haven't been any reports of injuries or illnesses related to the consumption of these products, Beech-Nut Nutrition took immediate action to prioritize the safety of their consumers. Additionally, Beech-Nut Nutrition is offering full refunds or replacements for the recalled items. Parents who have any concerns or questions regarding the recall can contact the company's customer service for assistance and guidance.

In 2007, Castleberry's Food Company recalled more than 90 types of canned meat products due to botulism contamination, a rare but potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. The affected products included various chili sauces, dog foods, and canned meat products, all of which were distributed throughout the United States and Canada. According to reports, three separate brands of Castleberry's chili caused botulism illness in 14 people across multiple states. Following the recall, a thorough investigation was conducted to determine the source of the contamination. It was soon revealed that the botulism contamination was primarily due to a malfunction in the company's canning process, allowing the bacteria to survive and thrive in the sealed cans.

In 2016, several brands of frozen vegetables were recalled after they were linked to an outbreak of Listeria, a dangerous bacterium known to cause severe foodborne illness. The recall affected various popular brands and involved a wide range of frozen vegetables such as peas, corn, carrots, and mixed vegetables.The recall was initiated by several prominent frozen vegetable brands, including but not limited to, Green Giant, Birds Eye, and Cascadian Farm, as they traced the source of contamination back to their production facilities. The outbreak caused nine people to be hospitalized and three deaths.

In 2018, a nationwide romaine lettuce recall was issued after several people were infected with E. coli. The outbreak was traced back to lettuce products sold by a California-based company. This recall affected hundreds of people in 36 states, with several requiring hospitalization. The FDA and CDC warned people to avoid eating any romaine lettuce products until the source of the contamination could be identified. The cause was eventually traced to an irrigation canal in the region. Grocery stores and restaurants have since started to take extra precautions when handling and serving romaine lettuce. The company responsible for the outbreak was also held accountable for their negligence.

In 2017, Vulto Creamery, a renowned artisanal cheese producer based in Walton, New York, faced a significant food safety crisis when it was forced to issue a widespread recall of all its soft, wash-rind raw milk cheeses.  The reason behind this unprecedented recall was a dangerous Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that had been linked to their products.  Eight people overall fell ill from four different states this outbreak, and two deaths occured. 

As a precautionary measure and in the interest of public safety, Vulto Creamery decided to issue a voluntary recall of all its cheese that were distributed to various retailers and restaurants across the United States.  The recall encompassed popular cheeses produced by the creamery, including Ouleout, Miranda, Heinennellie, Walton Umber, and Andes.

In 2007, Menu Foods initiated a recall of over 60 million containers of pet food due to contamination with melamine and cyanuric acid. Melamine, a nitrogen-rich compound used in various industries, was illegally added to wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate, common ingredients in pet food, to artificially boost protein levels. Certain suppliers engaged in this adulteration to reduce expenses and increase profits. The recall affected numerous pet food products under various brand names. Tragically, the contamination was linked to the deaths of ten animals, with many others suffering from kidney failure after consuming the tainted food. The total number of deaths due to this incident reached fourteen.

In 2015, Bumble Bee issued a recall of more than 31,000 cases of Chunk Light tuna, raising concerns of potential contamination and associated health risks from spoilage. That following day, Chicken of the Sea also recalled more than 100,000 cans of tuna. Although no illnesses have been recorded, the announcement states that this "could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed." The companies have taken a proactive approach to protect their consumers, urging them to check product codes and "best by" dates to identify and return the affected items.

In 2016, General Mills issued a recall of approximately 45 million pounds of flour due to an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to their products. Some of the affected brands included Gold Medal Flour, Wondra, and Signature Kitchens. The specific products recalled were various sizes of bags of all-purpose flour, self-rising flour, and unbleached flour produced by General Mills.At the time of the recall, there were reports of 63 people falling sick across 24 states in the United States due to E. coli contamination from the recalled flour. Consumers were advised to discontinue the use of the recalled flour and return the affected products to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of them safely to avoid any potential health risks associated with E. coli infection.

In 2013, Foster Farms recalled chicken products due to salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacteria commonly found in raw poultry and eggs, and it can cause foodborne illness in humans when ingested. Approximately 40,000 pounds of rotisserie chicken products were suspected to be contaminated Salmonella Heidelberg. Additionally, Costco's Kirkland Farm brand also recalled 313 units of their chicken products for the same reason.Although no illnesses were reported at the time of the initial recalls, a subsequent incident came to light when a family fell sick after consuming the chicken that had been stored in their freezer. Consumers were soon urged to handle raw poultry with care, thoroughly cook chicken products to a safe internal temperature, and practice proper hygiene when handling and preparing food.

In 2010, Kellogg's initiated a recall of 28 million boxes of Corn Pops, Honey Smacks, Froot Loops, and Apple Jacks cereals due to an unusual flavor and smell detected in the products. Kellogg's chemists determined that the source of the issue was methylnaphthalene, a petroleum-based compound that had leached into the cereals from the package liners.While there were no significant cases of illness reported, Kellogg's did receive reports from five consumers who experienced symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and mouth numbness after consuming the recalled cereals. Kellogg's publicly clarified that these symptoms were a result of the unusual taste and odor in the food rather than any harmful material in the cereals. Consumers were still advised no to eat the cereal due to it not meeting quality standards.

In 2024, over 16,000 pounds of ground beef was recalled after being sold at Walmart. Why? E. Coli. Cargill Meat Solutions in Kansas (the company that packed the meat) stated there haven't been any illnesses so far.

The contaminated meat was sold in over 10 states, and the list keeps growing as time goes on. The worst part about this is that it included nearly all types of ground beef, so pretty much anything from Cargill was unsafe. E. Coli is definitely nothing to mess with, as it can be potentially deadly.