TL;DR: Recalled infant formula, shelf-stable fish and tonics with botulism risk, infant formula with cereulide toxin, cheddar with E. coli O157:H7, and moringa capsules linked to 119 Salmonella cases lead food recalls to check as of May 27, 2026.

Why recalls piled up this spring

Food and supplement recalls continued to pile up this spring, raising ongoing safety concerns, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest in its update published May 27, 2026.

That roundup, titled Recalls to watch: Botulism, toxins in infant formula, & more, lists toxins in infant formula, botulism risk in herring, E. coli in cheese, Salmonella in pet food and potato chips, lead contamination, foreign materials such as glass and metal, undeclared allergens, and hidden drug ingredients in supplements.

Each year, roughly one in six Americans suffers from a bout of food poisoning, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Tainted food kills about 3,000 people in the United States every year, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The risk of getting sick is higher if you are pregnant, under age five, over age 65, or have a weakened immune system, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest groups current concerns into four patterns: botulism risks or process-control issues across infant formula to shelf-stable and specialty foods like tonics, tuna, dried fish, and garlic; Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella contamination in potato chips, pet food, cheese, deli salads, seafood, frozen produce, and prepared meals; foreign-material contamination with glass, metal, plastic, and other debris in frozen meals, baked goods, and Trader Joe's Chicken Fried Rice; and allergen mislabeling with undeclared peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, eggs, and other allergens in packaged foods nationwide.

A separate May 27, 2026 recall digest from eFoodAlert underscores that the activity is international and ongoing, with investigations and allergy alerts posted that same day.

Infant formula at center: botulism history and cereulide toxin

The 2025 infant botulism outbreak was tragic and historic, according to a May 23, 2026 report from MakeFoodSafe on the Food and Drug Administration response.

At least 51 infants across 19 states were hospitalized with botulism poisoning with confirmed exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula, according to MakeFoodSafe.

It was the first known botulism outbreak tied to infant formula in the entire world since in the almost 50 years clinicians were aware of the illness, according to MakeFoodSafe.

The root-cause investigation and ongoing work with ByHeart, Inc. is important to prevent it from happening at that facility again, according to MakeFoodSafe.

The organization is working with international experts and standard setting bodies to conduct a risk assessment on Clostridium botulinum in infant formula, according to MakeFoodSafe.

ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and Anywhere Packs remain on process-control recall lists tracked in the Center for Science in the Public Interest update.

That listing covers all batches of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula cans and all Anywhere Packs, with Can UPC 85004496800 and Anywhere Pack UPC 85004496802, posted Nov. 8 and 11, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The listing describes it as a process-control recall, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Do not use recalled infant formula or baby foods, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

If your infant may have consumed recalled formula, contact your pediatrician, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Do not use recalled infant formula; process-control deviations in powdered infant formula are handled with extra caution because infants are uniquely vulnerable to serious health risks from foodborne hazards, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

A separate infant-formula toxin issue involves a2 Platinum Premium Infant Formula 0-12 months with USA label, from a2, posted May 2, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Cereulide is a toxin produced by certain bacteria strains, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Heating foods does not eliminate the toxin, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Symptoms typically develop within 30 minutes to six hours after ingestion and often include nausea and vomiting, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Infants are at greater risk due to their developing immune systems and can experience complications that require medical care, such as dehydration, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Discontinue use and dispose of immediately or return to the place of purchase for a refund, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

If your infant is experiencing any of the symptoms described above, contact your health care provider immediately, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

That a2 product was sold through a2MC's website, Amazon, and Meijer stores as part of Operation Fly Formula, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Botulism risks in herring, tonics, tuna, garlic and dried fish

Botulism risks or process-control issues are appearing across a wide range of products, from infant formula to shelf-stable and specialty foods like tonics, tuna, dried fish, and garlic, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Specific postings cited include kippered herring in select lots from Ma Cohen's, posted May 8, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Good Brain Tonic 16 oz and 32 oz in select UPC codes from Good Brain, posted April 14, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Garlic in select UPCs from Christopher Ranch, posted April 1, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Dried croaker fish from Prime Food Processing, posted Feb. 3, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Yellowfin tuna from Genova, posted Jan. 16, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Sea Moss Gel Superfood in various flavors from True Sea Moss, posted Jan. 9, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Oven-dried fish identified as Scomberomorus cavalla, or king mackerel, from African Food on Wheels Inc, described as a process violation involving uneviscerated dried fish, posted Nov. 6, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Marinara, puttanesca, and meat-flavored pasta sauces from First & Last, described as an acidified and low-acid canned food process deviation, posted Nov. 3, are listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Dry ghoinnya fish from New Hoque & Sons, described as a process violation involving uneviscerated dried fish, posted Oct. 29, is listed, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Botulinum toxin attacks the nervous system and can be fatal without prompt treatment, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Do not eat recalled products subject to botulism warnings, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Return or discard recalled products, double-bagging liquids to prevent leaks, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Seek urgent care for symptoms such as muscle weakness, dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, trouble swallowing or breathing, or abdominal distension, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Products in the botulism and process-control group were sold through major grocers and specialty markets, including Safeway, Giant, Meijer, and Tops Friendly Markets, and through brand and distributor networks including direct-to-consumer and online sales, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Avoid shelf-stable whole fish unless clearly labeled eviscerated, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

When in doubt, skip it, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Italian authorities are investigating two cases of botulism linked to consumption of Italiamo brand Olive and Almond Cream in 190g jars, Lot L244R, with best before 01/09/2028, according to eFoodAlert on May 27, 2026.

E. coli in cheese and Salmonella linked to moringa capsules

Cheddar cheese in select batches from RAW FARM is listed for E. coli O157:H7, posted April 2 and updated April 7, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Anyone can get infected with E. coli, but some groups are more likely to experience severe symptoms, including people aged 65 or older, people under five, people with weakened immune systems, and people who travel internationally, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Most people with E. coli infection have diarrhea, which may be bloody or watery, stomach cramps, vomiting, and low-grade fever, and usually recover within five to seven days, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli causes bleeding in the digestive tract and increases the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and even death, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Do not eat the recalled cheese; discard or return it, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Seek care for severe cramps, bloody diarrhea, and fever, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

If you buy ready-to-eat frozen foods, deli foods, cheeses, or salmon, double-check brands and recall notices, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reopened its investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport infections linked to consumption of moringa leaf powder capsules, according to eFoodAlert on May 27, 2026.

The agency is reporting 119 cases and 32 hospitalizations in 36 states, according to eFoodAlert.

Allergens, foreign materials, pet food and produce safety

Undeclared milk, pecans, pistachios, Yellow No. 5 and Red No. 40 prompted a recall of multiple flavors of D'DIOSES FRUIT POPS in 3.7 oz packages produced prior to April 27, 2026, from DE DIOS'S ICE POPS II LLC, according to eFoodAlert.

SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Bites in multiple lot codes and Best By dates from Bazzini, LLC were recalled due to risk of undeclared peanut, according to eFoodAlert.

The Food and Drug Administration warned Best Buy Bones, Inc. that a Sept. 8 through Sept. 12, 2025 inspection of the company's pet food manufacturing facility found evidence of significant violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals requirements, including the presence of Salmonella Uganda in a finished product sample collected during the inspection, according to eFoodAlert.

The Food and Drug Administration warned Shineluck Foods, Inc. that an Oct. 7, 2025 through Oct. 14, 2025 inspection found serious violations of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption regulation, according to eFoodAlert.

Buy small spice jars and rotate ground spices annually, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Avoid metal cookware from recalled brands, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Clean surfaces, utensils, and storage areas if recalled food may have been handled, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

For a full list of recalls, visit the FDA website, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Why infant formula testing is difficult and what FDA plans next

Unlike Cronobacter and Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum are spore-forming bacteria, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Their protective spores allow them to survive conditions that would kill other pathogens, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Pasteurization is generally ineffective on this germ, according to MakeFoodSafe.

They are often found in low levels in many foods and in the environment, according to MakeFoodSafe.

When infants consume viable spores, those spores can shed their protective coats and become infectious again, according to MakeFoodSafe.

While inside the body, they begin to produce a life-threatening toxin that affects the nervous system, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Without prompt treatment, the outcome can be deadly, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Analytical tests to screen for or identify common foodborne germs do not usually work for Clostridium botulinum, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Microbiological methods incubate the sample on a culture, and if the bacteria grow, it can be identified, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Molecular methods analyze the DNA of pathogen cells, but if hearty spores do not break open, their DNA cannot be accessed for analysis, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Microscopic methods are not effective because the mere presence of spores is not an indicator of risk, since not all spores are truly viable and capable of causing illness, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Certain laboratory detection methods specifically for these types of germs require additional time and specialized resources, which limits the number of labs with testing capacity, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Results can take up to two weeks or more for final results, creating a backlog of product if products are held until results are cleared, or a large amount of potentially harmful product on the market if results prompt a recall after products reach store shelves, according to MakeFoodSafe.

The Food and Drug Administration has put together four main actions to respond to the 2025 infant botulism outbreak, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Those actions are continued investigation to learn more about the root cause, initiation of a sample assignment focused on dairy-based ingredients including whole milk powder, non-fat dry milk powder, and whey protein concentrate to help evaluate the supply chain, broadening scientific knowledge and understanding of Clostridium botulinum and public health interventions for controlling the pathogen, and enhancing communications and engagement with industry, consumers, federal, state, local, and other public health partners about infant formula safety, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Currently, there is no active recall or outbreak involving infant botulism, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Consumers can consider using liquid ready-to-feed formula, as this is the safest option for higher-risk formula-fed infants, according to the Food and Drug Administration advice quoted by MakeFoodSafe.

If liquid ready-to-feed formula cannot be obtained, consumers can consider using a liquid concentrate, according to the Food and Drug Administration advice quoted by MakeFoodSafe.

Both liquid ready-to-feed formula and liquid concentrate are made to be sterile without germs and are safer options than powdered infant formula for higher-risk infants not receiving breast milk, according to the Food and Drug Administration advice quoted by MakeFoodSafe.

If using liquid concentrate formula and uncertain about the safety of the water source, boil the water for making formula, then let it cool in the pot for five minutes before putting it in the bottle, add the liquid concentrate, shake to mix and allow the formula to cool to room temperature before feeding, according to the Food and Drug Administration advice quoted by MakeFoodSafe.

Babies with infant botulism may experience choking when trying to feed, constipation or bowel movement changes such as not pooping for days or even weeks, weaker suck or poor feeding, eyelid drooping, lack of facial expressions, inability to lift their head or other signs of muscle weakness or paralysis, weaker crying, and weakness with decreased muscle tone particularly on the top of the body and limbs that can appear floppy or unable to reach and grab, according to MakeFoodSafe.

If concerned that a child is experiencing symptoms of infant botulism, get medical attention right away, according to MakeFoodSafe.

Sources referenced