Over 15,000 cases of popular oyster crackers have been recalled from major retailers due to contamination with stainless steel wire fragments, posing potential health risks to unsuspecting consumers.
Key Insights
- Shearer’s Foods, LLC voluntarily recalled oyster crackers from Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle on February 21, 2025 due to stainless steel wire contamination.
- The FDA classified this as a “Class II” recall on March 11, indicating potential temporary health consequences.
- Affected products include store brands Market Pantry, Great Value, Giant Eagle, and Vista with specific UPC codes and expiration dates.
- Consumers should check their crackers against recall information and return affected products for a full refund or exchange.
Major Retailers Affected by Oyster Cracker Recall
Shearer’s Foods, LLC initiated a significant voluntary recall of oyster crackers on February 21, 2025, after discovering potential contamination with stainless steel wire fragments. The recall impacts over 15,000 cases of product distributed to major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Giant Eagle stores across multiple states. These crackers were sold under various store-brand names familiar to many American households, including Market Pantry (Target), Great Value (Walmart), Giant Eagle, and Vista brands. The wide distribution of these products makes this recall particularly concerning for consumers who regularly purchase these common soup accompaniments.
On March 11, the Food and Drug Administration officially classified this situation as a “Class II” recall, a designation that indicates the potential for temporary or reversible health consequences from consuming the affected products. While this classification is less severe than a Class I recall (which would indicate a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death), consumers should still take this recall seriously. The presence of metal fragments in food products presents obvious physical hazards that could cause injury if ingested, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children or the elderly.
Identifying Affected Products
Consumers who purchased oyster crackers recently should carefully check the UPC codes and sell-by or best-by dates on their packages. Specific products included in the recall are Market Pantry Soup & Oyster Crackers with UPC 085239114933 and a Sell-By Date of May 23, 2025; Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers with UPC 078742085494 and a Sell-By Date of May 23, 2025; Giant Eagle Oyster Crackers with UPC 030034915087 and a Best-By Date of May 24, 2025; and Vista Soup & Oyster Crackers with UPC 045100008006 and a Best-By Date of May 24, 2025. Additionally, 20lb. Bulk Oyster Crackers with UPC 10045100400203 and a Best By Date of May 24, 2025 are affected.
The affected states include Alabama, California, Florida, New York, and several others across the country. The contamination issue is particularly concerning because these small crackers are popular additions to soups and stews, often consumed by people of all ages. The company also recalled 20-pound bulk packages of oyster crackers not intended for retail sale, which may affect restaurants and food service operations that serve these crackers as complimentary items or soup accompaniments.
Consumer Safety Recommendations
Health authorities and Shearer’s Foods strongly advise consumers who have purchased these products not to consume them under any circumstances. Instead, consumers should either dispose of the recalled crackers properly or return them to the place of purchase. Most retailers affected by this recall are offering customers a full refund or product exchange with proper proof of purchase. This recall serves as an important reminder for Americans to pay attention to food safety notices and check their pantry items against recall information regularly.
“FDA ANNOUNCES RECALL ON CRACKERS SOLD AT WALMART, TARGET, AND MORE FOR METAL CONTAMINATION”
The FDA has classified the recall as presenting potential health consequences that are “temporary” or “reversible,” meaning that while serious injury is unlikely, consumers should still exercise caution. For those concerned about potential exposure, monitoring for any unusual symptoms after consuming these products is recommended, and consulting with healthcare providers if any issues arise. Food safety advocates point out that this case highlights the importance of robust quality control measures in food manufacturing and the effectiveness of our national food safety monitoring systems.
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
