FDA peanut butter recall alerts have dominated food-safety reports this week as a widespread recall of over 22,000 cases of peanut butter products has expanded across dozens of U.S. states. The recall, involving single-serve peanut butter portion packs and peanut butter-and-jelly twin packs, was reclassified earlier this month by the Food and Drug Administration due to contamination concerns after blue plastic fragments were discovered in production filters.
If you’ve seen peanut butter products in schools, hospitals, cafeterias, or foodservice delivery boxes lately, check the lot codes — this recall affects items from multiple foodservice brands distributed nationwide.
Don’t wait to check your pantry; read on to learn exactly what products are affected and what you should do if you have them.
Take action now — check your supplies and remove any affected peanut butter products right away.
What’s Behind the Nationwide Recall
The FDA peanut butter recall stems from a recall action initiated by Ventura Foods LLC in April 2025, after the company discovered pieces of blue plastic in a production filter during manufacturing. On February 12, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reclassified the recall as a Class II recall, signaling that while serious health risks are considered unlikely, the products may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects if consumed.
Class II recalls are serious business for institutional buyers and foodservice operators. This category means that exposure to the foreign material could pose physical hazards — such as choking or irritation — particularly in environments serving children or vulnerable adults.
Which Products Are Included
The recall includes more than 22,000 cases of peanut butter products distributed across 40 states. These are mostly single-serve peanut butter portion packs and peanut butter-and-jelly twin packs. The items were sold under a variety of foodservice brands and distributed through national channels.
Affected products include:
- 0.5-, 0.75- and 1.12-ounce creamy peanut butter portion packs
- 2.12-ounce peanut butter-and-jelly twin packs
These items are found primarily in foodservice settings such as school cafeterias, hospitals, corporate dining facilities and institutional meal programs rather than in standard grocery aisle jars.
Where the Peanut Butter Was Sent
The recall spans 40 U.S. states, covering a broad swath of the nation from major metropolitan areas to smaller communities. States with reported distribution include California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, Illinois, and many others.
The widespread distribution network reflects how deeply these portion-pack products are embedded in institutional meal programs across the country.
Brands Involved in the Recall
Although not always familiar to everyday pantry shoppers like retail grocery jar brands, the products involved were sold under numerous foodservice labels, including:
- US Foods
- Flavor Fresh
- Katy’s Kitchen
- DYMA Brands
- House Recipe by Sysco
- Gordon Food Service
- Dyma Foods peanut butter-and-jelly packs
These are common suppliers for schools, hospitals, cafeterias and other institutional buyers.
Why Plastic Contamination Is a Concern
Foreign material contamination in food production — particularly pieces of plastic — poses a physical hazard. Unlike microbial contamination, which can lead to foodborne illness, physical contaminants can cause choking, cuts, or other injuries if ingested. Even though there have been no reported injuries so far linked to this recall, the presence of foreign material sparked a nationwide pull-back of the affected products.
Because many of the recalled items are served to children and other at-risk populations, foodservice operators are urged to take immediate steps to remove these products from service.
Steps for Consumers and Institutions
Here’s what consumers and institutional buyers should do:
1. Stop using affected products immediately.
If you have any of the recalled peanut butter portion packs or twin packs, remove them from kitchens, cafeterias or dining programs.
2. Check lot numbers and packaging.
Look closely at your inventory to see if any match the recalled batch sizes and product codes.
3. Contact your distributor or supplier.
If you’re a foodservice operator, contact your distributor for guidance on returns, credits or replacements.
4. Do not serve these products.
Even though the risk is described as low, the presence of foreign material makes these foods unsafe for consumption.
How the FDA Classifies Recalls
The FDA categorizes recalls based on the level of health risk:
- Class I: Highest risk; products that could cause serious health consequences or death
- Class II: Products that may cause temporary adverse health effects
- Class III: Least serious; products unlikely to cause adverse health issues
This recall is Class II, placing it one level below the most severe category, which reflects the physical hazard posed by plastic pieces rather than chemical or microbial threats.
What This Means for Schools and Hospitals
Because the majority of recalled products are portion packs used in institutional settings rather than retail jars sold in grocery stores, schools, hospitals and corporate dining services must be especially vigilant.
Meal program managers and food service directors should:
- Conduct thorough inventory checks
- Segregate and label any suspected products
- Coordinate with distributors for removal and replacements
Institutional food services often cycle high volumes of individual portion packs, so swift action can help ensure no affected products remain in service.
How to Stay Informed on Recalls
While federal agencies and manufacturers work to identify and remove unsafe food products, staying informed is key:
- Regularly consult recall notices issued by federal food safety agencies
- Subscribe to food safety alert systems if available in your organization
- Train staff to recognize recall notices and respond quickly
- Update procurement practices to include lot number tracking
Being proactive helps protect consumers and minimizes disruption to food programs.
The Bigger Picture on Food Safety
Food recalls are part of the safety net designed to protect public health. They remind producers, distributors and consumers alike that quality control systems are crucial — especially for everyday staples like peanut butter in institutional meal programs. Efforts to detect contaminants early help prevent more serious incidents and maintain confidence in the food supply chain.
Tell us what steps you’re taking to safeguard your kitchen or pantry and stay tuned for updates as recall details continue to unfold.