Thousands of popular oyster crackers have been pulled from store shelves across the nation after stainless steel wire was discovered in the product, prompting an FDA recall affecting major retailers including Walmart and Target.
Key Takeaways
- More than 15,000 cases of oyster crackers manufactured by Shearer’s Foods have been recalled due to metal contamination risks.
- The recalled products were sold under store brands including Market Pantry, Great Value, Giant Eagle, and Vista at major retailers like Walmart and Target.
- The FDA classified this as a “Class II” recall, indicating potential temporary or reversible health consequences.
- Affected products can be identified by specific UPC codes and best-by dates ranging through May 2025.
- Consumers should return contaminated products to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.
Widespread Recall Affecting Major Retailers
Shearer’s Foods, LLC initiated a recall of oyster crackers on February 21, 2025, after discovering stainless steel wire contamination in their products. The FDA officially classified the situation as a “Class II” recall on March 11, signaling moderate health risk concerns. The affected products were widely distributed to major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle stores across multiple states such as Alabama, California, Florida, and New York. This extensive recall impacts over 15,000 cases of crackers sold under various store-brand names, posing potential safety concerns for consumers who purchased these items.
“More than 15,000 cases of oyster crackers have been recalled from Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle after stainless steel wire was found in the product.” – Source
Identifying Affected Products
The recalled products include several popular store brands with specific identifying information. Market Pantry Soup & Oyster Crackers have a UPC of 085239114933 and a Sell-By Date of May 23, 2025. Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers bear a UPC of 078742085494 with the same Sell-By Date. Giant Eagle Oyster Crackers can be identified by UPC 030034915087 and a Best-By Date of May 24, 2025. Vista Soup & Oyster Crackers use UPC 045100008006 with a Best-By Date of May 24, 2025. Additionally, the recall includes 20-pound bulk packages of oyster crackers not intended for retail sale, identifiable by UPC 10045100400203 and a Best-By Date of May 24, 2025.
Health Risk Assessment and FDA Classification
The FDA has classified this situation as a “Class II” recall, which indicates a lower health risk than Class I emergencies but still requires consumer attention. According to the FDA, Class II recalls involve “situations in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” While the stainless steel wire contamination poses a genuine safety hazard, particularly for dental or internal injury if consumed, the agency does not currently believe it presents life-threatening risks to most consumers.
“FDA ANNOUNCES RECALL ON CRACKERS SOLD AT WALMART, TARGET, AND MORE FOR METAL CONTAMINATION”
Consumer Response Guidelines
Food safety officials advise consumers not to consume any of the potentially contaminated crackers. Those who have purchased the affected products should check the packaging for the UPC codes and expiration dates detailed in the recall notice. If a product matches the recall information, it should not be consumed under any circumstances. Consumers can return the recalled crackers to the place of purchase for a full refund or product replacement. This recall highlights the importance of food manufacturing oversight and the systems in place to protect consumer safety when contamination is detected before widespread consumption occurs.
Sources:
- FDA Announces Recall on Crackers Sold at Walmart, Target, and More for Metal Contamination
- FDA Announces Recall on Crackers Sold at Walmart, Target, and More for Metal Contamination
