Food Recalls To Watch Ahead Of Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just a day away, shoppers are stocking up on everything they need for big family meals. It is also a busy season for food recalls, and several new alerts could affect what is already in your fridge, freezer or pantry.
From listeria concerns in grated cheese and salsa to plastic found in salad dressing, undeclared egg in ice cream and elevated lead in ground cinnamon, the latest recalls touch multiple categories and retailers. Here is what to know about five major issues before you start cooking.
Boar’s Head and Locatelli Cheese Recall Over Listeria Concerns
A third party manufacturer, Ambriola Company, has recalled several pecorino romano cheese products over concerns about possible listeria monocytogenes contamination. The company produces items for multiple brands, including Boar’s Head and Locatelli.
According to a November 24 notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the recalled Boar’s Head products include:
Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese, 6 ounce container
Case UPC: 042421-05858
Sell by dates: November 21, 2025 through March 12, 2026
EverRoast Chicken Caesar Salad (contains grated pecorino romano cheese)
Barcode UPC: 850042244142
Best by dates: November 9, 2025 through November 22, 2025
EverRoast Chicken Caesar Wrap (contains grated pecorino romano cheese)
Barcode UPC: 85004224455
Best by dates: November 9, 2025 through November 22, 2025
These items were sold at Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana. Out of an abundance of caution, Boar’s Head also withdrew its pre cut pecorino romano supplied by Ambriola, although that product is not formally part of the recall.
Impacted Locatelli grated pecorino romano containers were reported by Big Y, Sprouts and Wegmans. Those include:
Big Y: 8 ounce container, UPC 41793-82493, all sell by dates
Wegmans: UPC 2-77580-XXXXX-7, any product sold between November 14 and November 22, 2025
Sprouts: 4 ounce container, UPC 0-41793-41292-2, sell by dates May 3 and May 10, 2026
No illnesses have been reported so far. Anyone who has these products should not eat them and should discard them or contact the place of purchase. Ambriola can be reached at info@ambriola.com for questions.
Boar’s Head told USA TODAY it is “committed to delivering safe, high-quality foods that consumers can enjoy with confidence.” The company said it “took immediate action to halt the purchase of these products from The Ambriola Company, notify retail partners, and ensure that the affected products are being removed from distribution nationally.”
The recall comes after Boar’s Head deli meats were linked to a deadly listeria outbreak in 2024, although the company stresses that this current issue is a separate, supplier related incident.
Costco Salad And Sandwich Recall Over Plastic In Dressing
If Costco salads are on your Thanksgiving week lunch menu, it may be time to check the label. Costco has recalled two prepared items because their Caesar dressing may contain pieces of plastic.
The affected products are:
Caesar Salad (item No. 11444)
Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (item No. 11444)
Both used dressing supplied by Ventura Foods, where the contamination problem originated. The impacted items carried sell by dates of October 17 and November 9 and were sold at select Costco locations in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast.
In a November 7 notice, Costco told customers, “Please stop eating the product and return the item to your local Costco for a full refund.”
While the sell by dates suggest most of these products should already be eaten or discarded, it is common for people to forget a salad or sandwich in the back of the fridge. If you find one with the recalled dates and item number, do not eat it. Return it for a refund or throw it away.
This recall follows two other recent Costco related issues: nearly 900,000 bottles of Kirkland Prosecco recalled after reports some bottles could spontaneously shatter, and a recall of Olympia Tools’ Pack N Stroll Folding Utility Wagon over a child safety hazard. None of the problems originated with Costco itself, but the chain is responsible for pulling affected items and handling customer returns.
Publix Vanilla Ice Cream Recall Over Undeclared Egg
Publix is warning shoppers in several Southern states about its Rich & Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream, which may contain undeclared egg. The recall, issued October 14, was later classified as a Class I risk by the FDA on November 18, the agency’s highest level.
Class I means there is a “reasonable probability” the product could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death” if consumed by someone with an allergy or sensitivity.
The problem stems from a production mix up. Half gallon containers labeled as regular vanilla may actually contain French vanilla, which includes egg, under mismatched lids. The recalled product details are:
UPC: 41415 03043
Lot code: PLT 13-575
Sell by date: June 19, 2026
The ice cream was distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida, but not to Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Tampa, Sarasota, Virginia or North Carolina locations.
As of the recall date, no illnesses had been reported. Still, allergists warn against taking chances. Dr. Sebastian Lighvani of New York Allergy & Asthma told Newsweek, “Every three minutes in the United States, someone ends up in an emergency room because of an allergic reaction after accidental ingestion of food.” He noted that anaphylaxis rates have jumped 300 to 400 percent in the past two decades.
Publix spokesperson Maria Brous said, “Potentially impacted product has been removed from all store shelves. To date, there have been no reported cases of illness. Consumers who have purchased the product in question may return it to their local store for a full refund.”
Anyone with the recalled ice cream in a household where someone has an egg allergy should not eat it. Return it to Publix or discard it. Questions can be directed to Publix at 1-800-242-1227.
Kroger Peach Salsa Recall Linked To Listeria In Peaches
Kroger shoppers should check any peach salsa in their refrigerator, especially if they bought it in October or early November. Peach salsa made with fruit from California supplier Moonlight Companies has been recalled after concerns about possible listeria contamination in the peaches.
Two manufacturers that produce salsa for Kroger issued recalls on October 30 and November 3: JFE Franchising and Supreme LLC.
The recalled items include:
Snowfruit Peach Salsa
16 ounce plastic containers
Price: about 5.99 dollars
Sell by dates: November 3 and 4
UPC: 639123940636
Sold at Kroger stores in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming
Supreme Produce Peach Salsa
14 ounce grab and go containers
Best by dates: October 12 through October 29
UPC: 85006540364
Sold at Kroger stores in Illinois, Colorado, Georgia, Washington, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oregon and Michigan
The source of the risk is Moonlight Companies’ recall of fresh peaches sold between September 16 and October 29. Those peaches, potentially contaminated with listeria, were used in the salsas.
Listeria can cause severe illness, especially in older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can appear up to two months after eating contaminated food. While no illnesses have yet been linked to these specific salsa products, anyone who has them should not consume them. Return them to Kroger for a refund or throw them away.
Ground Cinnamon Recall Expands Over Elevated Lead Levels
The most far reaching of the current recalls may be the ongoing ground cinnamon investigation. The FDA has expanded its recall list to 18 different ground cinnamon products after tests found elevated lead levels in multiple brands sold nationwide. Recent additions include DEVI and BaiLiFeng.
The cinnamon recall began in mid 2024 and has continued through 2025 as more state and federal test results come in. Products have been found in discount chains, regional supermarkets and smaller specialty stores, sometimes under imported or secondary labels, which can make them harder for consumers to recognize.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal, but it should not appear in significant amounts in food. The FDA says the contaminated cinnamon samples tested between 2 and 7 parts per million, which is above the agency’s recommended threshold.
Long term exposure is the concern. Young children are particularly vulnerable, since their bodies absorb more lead and their brains are still developing. Early and repeated exposure can contribute to neurological problems, behavioral issues and developmental delays. Adults can experience fatigue, stomach pain and elevated blood pressure at high exposure levels.
The FDA is advising consumers to compare the brand name and lot code on their ground cinnamon with its published recall list. Affected brands include DEVI, BaiLiFeng, Roshni, Jiva Organics, Marcum and Super Brand, among others. Any recalled container should be discarded or returned for a refund and not simply retired to the back of the cupboard. If you think you or a family member has been regularly consuming one of the recalled products, contact a healthcare provider to discuss the possibility of a blood test for lead.
The cinnamon investigation is part of a broader review of imported spices. The FDA plans to continue expanded sampling into 2026 and to widen testing to other seasonings such as turmeric and paprika.
How To Stay Safe As You Prep For Thanksgiving
The common thread in all of these recalls is not panic, but vigilance. Before Thanksgiving:
Check your fridge, freezer and pantry for the specific brands, UPC codes, lot codes and sell by dates listed in each recall.
Do not taste items to see if they are “ok.” Contaminants like listeria, allergens or lead cannot be seen, smelled or tasted.
When in doubt, throw it out, or return the product to the store for a refund.
If you are in a high risk group or have eaten a recalled product and feel unwell, contact a healthcare provider.
With a few minutes of label checking, you can help ensure your holiday table is as safe as it is festive.
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