If you recently bought applesauce at ShopRite or any of several other major grocery chains, you may want to check your pantry.
Wakefern Food Corp. is recalling select containers of Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce.
The recall comes amid routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which found elevated levels of patulin, a toxin produced by certain molds.
The affected applesauce was distributed through:
- ShopRite
- Price Rite Marketplace
- The Fresh Grocer
- Gourmet Garage
- Fairway Market
- Source: FDA
No illnesses or injuries linked to the recalled product have been reported so far.
Shoppers should check recalled Wholesome Pantry applesauce
The recall affects Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce sold in 23-ounce plastic jars.
The recalled products have:
- UPC: 04119005677
- Best-by date: June 16, 2027
No other products sold at the affected supermarkets are included in the recall, Wakefern said.
Here’s some of my coverage of major food recalls:
- Kroger: More than 19 million eggs sold under Kroger and other brands were recalled over contamination risk.
- Walmart and Harris Teeter: Outshine fruit bars sold nationwide were recalled after consumers reported finding glass in the products.
- Walmart bakery: More than 735,000 Pillsbury bread rolls supplied to Walmart bakeries were recalled over possible glass contamination.
The company initiated the recall after routine FDA monitoring detected patulin levels above acceptable food-safety limits.
Patulin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by molds that can grow on damaged or bruised apples and can contaminate products made from contaminated fruit.
The FDA says patulin contamination is particularly associated with apple juice and other apple products made with moldy fruit.
Consuming contaminated apple products can cause nausea and vomiting, and patulin may also damage DNA in some cells, according to the agency.
Zarina Lukash / Getty Images
What shoppers should do with the recalled product
Wakefern is telling customers not to consume the recalled applesauce.
Consumers who purchased the affected product can return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund or replacement.
Customers should check both the UPC and the best-by date to determine whether an applesauce container in their home is included in the recall.
Wakefern operates a network of independently owned supermarkets across the Northeast under banners including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Fairway Market, Gourmet Garage, and Morton Williams.
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