The Biggest Food Recalls In Sam's Club History

Turkey burgers It’s not shocking to see tainted meat on recall  lists, but who would’ve thought kids’ applesauce   pouches would make the cut? Sam’s Club’s recent  recalls are unexpectedly diverse and surprising. In 2011, Jennie-O Turkey Store recalled nearly  55,000 pounds of raw turkey burgers after 12   people across 10 states contracted salmonella.  Three individuals required hospitalization. This   outbreak was particularly alarming because the  CDC found that the burgers tested positive for   salmonella hadar, a strain resistant to common  antibiotics. This resistance poses a greater risk,   especially to those with weakened immune systems,  as it can complicate treatment and increase the   likelihood of severe illness or hospitalization.  The incident highlighted the dangers of   antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food products and  underscored the need for vigilance in food safety. Smoked salmon In 2012, Sam’s Club advised customers  to discard their smoked salmon purchases   after a routine test found listeria  contamination in an undistributed   batch. Listeria can cause symptoms like  fever, diarrhea, and severe infections,   especially in those with weakened immune systems.  Even though smoked salmon is a beloved delicacy,   this incident highlighted the potential  health risks associated with contaminated   food products and the importance of rigorous  food safety protocols to prevent such issues. "Oh my god!" To ensure customer safety, Multiexport Foods and  Tampa Bay Fisheries proactively recalled their   smoked salmon products, affecting Sam’s Club  locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Sold   under the Paramount Reserve brand in November and  December, these products were pulled from shelves   as a precautionary measure. Sam’s Club asked  customers to return the potentially contaminated   salmon for a full refund. While no illnesses were  reported, the companies emphasized the importance   of caution and swift action in preventing  potential health risks. This precautionary   recall highlighted the priority of food safety  and customer well-being in such situations. Chicken nuggets Chicken nuggets have sparked plenty of stories  about questionable ingredients—some true,   others wildly fabricated. But one unexpected  addition that doesn’t often come up is plastic.  In 2014, Tyson Foods faced an unexpected recall  of 75,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets after   customers reported finding small pieces of plastic  in their meals. The contamination was traced back   to a broken product scraper in a blending machine,  which inadvertently introduced plastic into the   nuggets during production on January 26th and  February 16th. This incident affected 5-pound   bags of Tyson Fully Cooked White Meat Chicken  Nuggets sold at Sam’s Club stores nationwide.   Additionally, 20-pound bulk packs intended for  institutional use in Indiana and Arkansas were   also recalled. Some customers suffered minor  oral injuries from the contaminated nuggets,   prompting Tyson to take swift action.  This recall underscored the importance   of quality control in food production and  the company’s commitment to consumer safety,   as it sought to prevent further  incidents and potential legal issues. Ham In 2016, nearly 9,000 pounds of pre-cooked,  vacuum-sealed ham were recalled from Sam’s   Club stores after a customer discovered pieces  of rubber in their ham. The affected product was   Fletcher’s Fine Foods Classics Black Forest Brand  Ham with Natural Juices, produced in Washington,   packaged in Ontario, Canada, and distributed  across the U.S. The USDA warned that consuming   the contaminated ham could pose a health hazard,  albeit with a remote chance of adverse effects,   due to chemicals used in rubber  production. Customers were advised   to either return the ham to Sam’s Club  for a refund or discard it. Fortunately,   only one customer reported finding the rubber,  making it a rare but concerning incident. Ground beef In 2018, Cargill Meat Solutions recalled 132,000  pounds of ground beef from various grocery stores,   including Sam’s Club, due to a risk of  E. coli contamination. This bacterium,   often found in raw or undercooked beef, can lead  to severe symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea,   and even kidney failure. The recall followed  an outbreak that resulted in 17 illnesses and   one death between July 5th and July 25th. The  USDA advised customers to check their freezers   for ground beef dated June 21 and dispose of  any affected packages. While healthy adults   typically recover from E. coli infections within  a week, young children and the elderly face a   higher risk of serious complications. Even a  small amount of contaminated meat can cause   illness, prompting a swift and urgent  response to prevent further infections. Canned chicken In March 2018, nearly 100,000 pounds  of canned chicken were recalled from   Sam’s Club stores after two customers  reported finding hard plastic pieces in   their food. This sparked concerns about  potential contamination and food safety. "If you have this in your pantry right now,  throw it out or return it for a refund." The recall involved Member’s Mark Premium Natural  Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, produced by Tony   Downs Food Company in Minnesota. The contamination  was thought to have occurred in late November   2017. Fortunately, the issue was caught early,  and there were no reports of illnesses. The   quick action helped prevent any escalation,  ensuring customer safety remained a priority. Muffins In July 2021, Give and Go Prepared  Foods Corp issued a major recall due   to potential listeria contamination in its  muffins. This recall affected 26 products,   including Uncle Wally’s Twin Muffins, available  at Sam’s Club locations nationwide in blueberry,   chocolate chip, and walnut flavors. The  precautionary recall came after the FDA detected   a possible listeria monocytogenes presence during  an environmental monitoring program. Fortunately,   no illnesses were reported, and the recall was a  preventive measure. Customers were instructed to   discard any affected muffins from their pantries.  The FDA concluded the recall shortly thereafter. Macarons In late 2022, plastic contamination once again  made headlines with the recall of Member’s   Mark Holiday Macarons. This recall affected  various seasonal flavors, including Vanilla,   Salted Caramel, Hot Chocolate, Cookies ‘n Cream,  Red Velvet, and Creme Brûlée. Approximately   148,800 units were pulled from Sam’s Club stores  between December 2022 and January 2023. Sublime   Desserts initiated the recall after discovering  potential plastic particles in the cookies. The   challenge was exacerbated by the macarons’  long shelf life and need for freezing,   with sell-by dates extending to December 2023.  This meant that some potentially contaminated   macarons might still be hidden in customers’  freezers, possibly evading the recall notice. "Great Scott!" Peanut butter For peanut butter enthusiasts,  a jar of Jif is often a staple,   whether for classic PB&J sandwiches or  spoonfuls straight from the jar. However,   if you bought Jif Peanut Butter from Sam’s Club  or Walmart in mid-2022, your pantry might have   been at risk. In May 2022, The J.M. Smucker  Co. recalled over 48 types of Jif products,   including Jif Creamy Smooth Peanut  Butter and Jif Squeezable Pouches,   due to potential salmonella contamination. The  CDC reported 21 confirmed cases of illness,   with two individuals hospitalized, and about  80% of the cases linked to Jif products. The   recall soon expanded to include other brands  like Garden Cut, Coblentz Chocolate Company,   and Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods that used  J.M. Smucker peanut butter in their products. Despite the recall’s efforts, some customers  remained dissatisfied. In January 2024,   Wayne and Mary Hinkin sued J.M. Smucker Co.  and Sam’s Club, seeking at least $75,000 in   damages. Wayne claimed he suffered severe  salmonella symptoms in 2022 that persisted   for weeks. The Hinkins’ case was supported  by FDA reports indicating that salmonella   contamination had been present at  J.M. Smucker’s Kentucky plant for   months before the recall. However, the  lawsuit was dismissed in April 2024. Fruit purée In October 2023, a significant lead  contamination scare affected Sam’s Club,   Amazon, and Dollar Tree. The issue arose after  North Carolina authorities investigated a   series of cases where children showed elevated  blood lead levels and symptoms like headaches,   nausea, and fatigue. The North Carolina Department  of Health and Human Services identified a   potential source: WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit  purée pouches. These pouches tested positive for   dangerously high lead levels, prompting a swift  and widespread recall across multiple retailers. "How many of these applesauce  pouches do you think he had eaten?" "They were a regular part of his diet." Given that even minimal lead exposure can  lead to irreversible cognitive damage, the   FDA mandated an immediate recall of all WanaBana  apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches. Customers were   advised to return these products for refunds or  exchanges. Parents concerned about potential lead   exposure in their children were urged to consult  their doctors for blood testing. By December,   64 cases associated with these pouches had been  reported across 27 states, prompting an on-site   investigation at the manufacturer’s facility  in Ecuador. This recall became one of the most   significant to impact Sam’s Club, highlighting  the serious risks of lead contamination. Fresh fruits The latter part of 2023 brought more trouble  for Sam’s Club. Following the WanaBana recall,   a severe listeria outbreak was traced to  fresh peaches, nectarines, and plums sold   at Sam’s Club and other stores in North  Carolina. The outbreak, linked to fruit   produced by HMC Farms, emerged just after the  affected products had been removed from store   shelves. Concerns arose that some customers  might have frozen the fruit for later use. The recall involved six types of fruit: yellow  peaches, white peaches, yellow nectarines,   white nectarines, red plums, and black plums.  The outbreak resulted in at least 11 illnesses,   one death, and a case where a pregnant woman went  into early labor. Listeria can survive freezing,   so the CDC advised customers to discard  any potentially contaminated fruit and   thoroughly clean any surfaces or utensils  that might have come into contact with it. Dog food Pet food recalls are rare but can still happen,  and one such incident occurred in November 2023.   This recall involved two flavors of canned  Member’s Mark dog food—Beef & Brown Rice and   Salmon & Sweet Potato—produced by Mid America Pet  Food. The recall was initiated not because the   food harmed pets, but due to its potential link to  a salmonella outbreak that affected seven people. Among the infected were mostly infants,  suggesting that the contamination may have   spread from surfaces like floors and pet bowls  or through caregivers who didn’t wash their hands   after handling the dog food. Salmonella can  also infect pets, which then become carriers,   potentially passing the bacteria to humans  and other animals. Infants, in particular,   are highly susceptible to severe infections,  and one case required hospitalization. The recall affected not only Sam’s  Club but also other retailers,   some of which had multiple products pulled  from shelves. For customers relying on Sam’s   Club’s Member’s Mark pet food, this recall  was particularly concerning, emphasizing the   importance of vigilance in handling and  hygiene practices related to pet food. Deli meats As demonstrated in this video, even minor  salmonella concerns can prompt major   recalls. In January 2024, charcuterie trays sold  at Sam’s Club faced a significant recall after the   CDC connected them to salmonella infections  affecting over 24 people across 14 states. "Wow." Busseto Foods recalled over 11,000 pounds of  Charcuterie Sampler after salmonella was linked   to the product. The recall affected approximately  323 Sam’s Club locations across 27 states,   prompting a precautionary removal of the trays  from shelves. Customers were advised to discard   any trays with a sell-by date of April 27,  2024, and to clean any surfaces or utensils   that may have come into contact with the meat  using hot water. The CDC suspected that more   people might have been unknowingly infected,  as the number of reported cases grew and 10   people were hospitalized. Consequently,  the CDC recommended that all charcuterie   trays be discarded, regardless of their  lot code, to prevent further illness.