FDA Warns Peanut Butter Sold in 40 States May Contain Plastic
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide warning after more than 20,000 packages of peanut butter were recalled because they may contain pieces of blue plastic discovered during production, a foreign material that prompted the recall and raises concerns about product safety for consumers across the country.
The recall was first initiated by Ventura Foods LLC in April 2025 when pieces of plastic were found in a filter at the manufacturing facility, leading officials to pull affected products off store shelves and urge shoppers to check their peanut butter items before use.
On February 12, 2026, the FDA classified the recall as a Class II recall, indicating that consuming the contaminated peanut butter could cause temporary or medically reversible health issues, though the possibility of serious harm is considered low; nonetheless, consumers are strongly advised not to eat any products that might be part of the recall.
Which Products and Brands Are Affected
The recall includes single-serve peanut butter packets and small peanut butter-and-jelly combinations sold under several private-label brands, including those distributed by companies such as US Foods, DYMA Brands, Flavor Fresh, Sysco House Recipe, Katy’s Kitchen and Gordon Food Service, among others, meaning a wide range of products could be affected.
These items were shipped to 40 U.S. states from the recall lot, including major markets like California, Texas, Florida and New York, as well as states across the Midwest and Northeast, so consumers living almost anywhere in the country should review their pantry for matching products.
The FDA continues to publish updated lists of lot numbers, brand names and package sizes tied to the recall, and shoppers are urged to compare the details on their products with official listings to confirm whether their peanut butter is part of the potentially contaminated batches.
Why You Should Take the Recall Seriously
Foreign materials like pieces of plastic in food items may not always cause illness, but they can pose choking hazards or lead to digestive discomfort, and because the peanut butter was distributed nationwide, even a small piece of plastic could lead to unexpected complications if consumed.
Because peanut butter is often eaten by children and offered in schools, daycare centers and snacks on the go, authorities emphasize that anyone with affected packages should avoid consumption until they can verify product safety, reducing the chance of injury or reversible health effects tied to the contamination.
In addition to physical hazards, food recalls can also erode trust in food safety systems, which is why manufacturers and regulators act proactively to alert the public and assist with proper disposal or return options for recalled items, helping consumers respond quickly and responsibly.
What Shoppers Should Do Now
If you find any peanut butter packages that match the brands or lot numbers listed in the recall, the FDA recommends that you do not eat them, and instead either return the products to the store where they were purchased or dispose of them safely to prevent accidental consumption at a later date.
Even if a product looks and smells normal, it could still contain the plastic fragments found during manufacturing, so erring on the side of caution is advised to avoid any risk of health effects or injury from foreign materials.
Stay updated by checking official FDA recall listings and consumer alerts online, because ongoing classification updates and detailed product information help ensure you have the latest guidance on which items are safe and which should be removed from use in your home.
