Latest Food Recalls: What Consumers Need to Know and How to Stay Safe
Food recalls can change quickly, and several significant food-safety alerts have been issued or updated in recent weeks. Consumers should check their refrigerators, freezers and pantries regularly and pay close attention to recall notices from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health authorities.
Among the latest concerns are recalls involving fresh jalapeños, eggs, frozen berries, iceberg lettuce and other foods. The reasons range from possible Salmonella and E. coli contamination to foreign materials and undeclared allergens.
Here are some of the recalls and food-safety investigations consumers should know about as of August 20, 2026.
Jalapeños linked to a Salmonella investigation
Fresh jalapeños are among the most significant current food-safety concerns. The FDA is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella illnesses and has advised consumers not to eat, sell or serve recalled fresh jalapeños or products containing recalled jalapeños. The investigation remains ongoing. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Taylor Fresh Foods recalled products containing jalapeños distributed to retail distribution centers in numerous states, including Florida, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, among others. The recalled products had “Best If Used By” dates up to and including August 16, 2026. The company said it was not aware of illnesses linked to its recalled products at the time of its announcement. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Consumers who recently purchased fresh jalapeños should check the FDA recall information carefully rather than assuming that a pepper is safe simply because it looks fresh.
Eggs recalled over possible Salmonella contamination
Another major recall involves shell eggs distributed under several brand names.
Midwest Poultry Services recalled white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs because of possible contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. The recalled eggs were sold in multiple sizes and under brands including Country Morning, Cal-Maine Sunups, Brookshire’s, Simple Truth and Kroger. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
The recalled eggs have sell-by or best-by dates ranging from July 20 through August 17, 2026, with identifying production codes that consumers should compare with the FDA’s recall information.
Anyone who finds recalled eggs at home should not eat them. They should be discarded or returned according to the recall instructions.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can be at greater risk of serious illness.
Frozen blueberries and mixed berries recalled over E. coli concerns
Consumers who shop at Publix should also check their freezers for recalled GreenWise Organic Frozen Whole Blueberries and Whole Mixed Berries.
Publix recalled all lots of the affected products because of potential contamination with E. coli O145:H28. The products included 10-ounce and 48-ounce packages of organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries and were distributed to Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
The FDA advises consumers not to eat, sell or serve the recalled berries. If the original packaging is gone and consumers cannot determine whether frozen berries are part of the recall, the FDA recommends throwing them away. Surfaces and containers that came into contact with the recalled products should also be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
The iceberg lettuce recall and Cyclospora investigation
The recent iceberg lettuce recall remains another important food-safety issue.
Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market because of its potential connection to an outbreak of Cyclospora, a parasite that can cause prolonged diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
The FDA has since said that a laboratory test initially reported as positive for Cyclospora in Taylor Farms lettuce was a false positive. Nevertheless, the agency continues investigating the outbreak and says it remains confident that all recalled iceberg lettuce connected with this particular investigation is off the market. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Consumers should continue following the recall guidance rather than attempting to determine whether lettuce is safe based on its appearance or smell.
Other recent food recalls
The FDA’s recall database also lists a number of more recent food recalls involving other hazards.
For example, on August 19, the FDA listed recalls involving Grand Central Bakery potato sourdough, which may contain pieces of metal; Prince Bakery breads, because of undeclared milk and sesame; and Momchipz veggie chips, because of undeclared gluten. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
These recalls demonstrate why consumers with food allergies or sensitivities need to pay particularly close attention to recall notices. A product that is safe for most people can pose a serious risk to someone with a food allergy.
How to stay safe when a recall is announced
The safest response to a food recall is simple: check, don’t guess.
Check your kitchen
Look through your refrigerator, freezer and pantry for the recalled product. Compare the brand, product name, package size, UPC, lot number and expiration or best-by date with the official recall notice.
Don’t eat recalled food
If you discover that you have a recalled product, don’t taste it to determine whether it is safe. Follow the recall instructions for throwing it away or returning it.
Clean surfaces
Foodborne pathogens can spread to refrigerator shelves, countertops, cutting boards, utensils and containers. After disposing of recalled food, wash your hands and clean surfaces that may have come into contact with it.
Don’t rely on appearance or smell
Dangerous bacteria and parasites generally cannot be detected by looking at, smelling or tasting food. Food that appears perfectly normal can still be contaminated.
Take symptoms seriously
Symptoms vary depending on the contaminant. Salmonella and E. coli infections can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, while Cyclospora commonly causes prolonged watery diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
People who develop significant or persistent symptoms after eating a recalled product should contact a healthcare professional and mention the possible food exposure.
The bottom line
Several food-safety issues are active or have been updated in August 2026, including recalls involving jalapeños, eggs and frozen berries, while the investigation surrounding recalled iceberg lettuce continues.
The FDA’s current recalls and safety alerts are the best place to check for newly announced products and updated recall information. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Because recalls can be expanded or updated after an initial announcement, consumers should check the official notice for the specific product, lot number and date codes rather than relying on headlines or social-media posts.
When in doubt, don’t eat it. Throw it out and verify the recall information with the appropriate federal or state health agency.