Shearer's Foods recalls thousands of oyster crackers over contamination fears

In February 2025, Shearer's Foods, LLC, a food manufacturer based in Ohio, initiated a recall of over 15,000 packages of oyster crackers after detecting potential contamination involving foreign material. This action was prompted when the company identified the possibility of stainless steel wire being present in the food products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the recall classification to Class II, the second-highest risk classification, indicating that the products may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, with a remote probability of serious adverse health consequences. Affected products included various brands sold at major retailers such as Walmart and Target. Specific items involved in the recall were Market Pantry, Great Value, Giant Eagle, and VISTA-brand oyster crackers, as well as a bulk variety not meant for retail sale. The recall affected thousands of consumers across multiple states, including Alabama, California, Florida, and Texas, highlighting the wide distribution of the products and the potential risk to public health. The recall notice provided affected consumers with specific details, including UPC codes and sell-by dates, to help them identify the products. As part of the response, consumers were urged to return recalled items to their place of purchase for a refund or exchange. This situation points to an ongoing concern regarding food safety and contamination, as similar metal contamination cases have occurred in recent food recalls. Last month, over two million MadeGood granola bars were recalled due to possible metal presence, and in January, a popular budget grocery chain, ALDI, recalled chicken taquitos for similar reasons. These incidents underscore the persistent challenges that food manufacturers face in ensuring product safety and the importance of prompt action when contamination risks arise.