Health & Fitness

Listeria, Burns, Choking Hazards And Flying Roof Racks: Recall Roundup

Recalls also include hand soap that may be contaminated with bacteria, electric blankets and heating pads responsible for dozens of burns.

Listeria concerns are behind a pair of recent recalls, including one for an item used in fancy appetizers, high-end charcuterie boards and classic Italian dishes.

Also, multiple lots of hand soap have been recalled because they may be contaminated with bacteria; dozens of people were burned while using electric blankets or heating pads; and a frozen treat may contain something hard and unchewable among the cashew pieces.

Sources for this report are the Food and Drug Administration, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and company announcements.

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Listeria Reported In Imported Pork

Two distributors are recalling about 1,500 pounds of a pork product imported from Italy that is prized as the star ingredient in classic pasta dishes like carbonara because it may be contaminated with listeria, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The recall covers dry-cured pork jowl, also called guanciale, distributed by Prime Line Distributors Inc. and Ferrarini USA Inc. The products were shipped to distributors, restaurants and retailers in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

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The affected products are marked with lot number 263311US, a best-if-used-by date of May 16, 2027, and establishment number “IT 1937 L CE.” They were produced on May 21 and imported in July.

The contamination was discovered when a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during routine import testing. No illnesses have been reported.

Consumers, retailers and restaurants should throw away the recalled pork or return it to the place of purchase. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly among older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.

Listeria Concerns With This Noodle Product

(Photo via Gias Foods)

Gias Foods said it is recalling two lots of bettergoods frozen Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine sold at Walmart stores nationwide because they may be contaminated with listeria

The recall covers 22-ounce yellow packages of bettergoods Authentic Italian Lemon Alfredo Fettuccine with UPC 194346442706. Affected packages are marked with either:

  • Lot L6079C and an expiration date of Sept. 19, 2027
  • Lot L6080C and an expiration date of Sept. 20, 2027

Both the lot number and expiration date are stamped on the back of the package, according to the company’s recall notice.

No illnesses have been reported. The possible contamination was discovered through routine testing by agriculture officials in Washington state and Florida.

Consumers should return the recalled pasta to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions may be emailed to sales@giasfoods.com.

Frozen Treat May Contain Rocks

(Photo via FDA)

So Delicious Dairy Free is recalling its Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert because the cashew pieces may contain small stones or other hard objects, according to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

The nationwide recall covers pint containers with UPC 744473476138 and best-by dates on or before April 3, 2028. The date is printed on the bottom of the container.

Danone USA, which owns the So Delicious brand, initiated the recall after receiving consumer complaints. No other So Delicious flavors or products are affected, the company said in its recall FAQ.

Consumers should not eat the recalled dessert and should dispose of it. They can call 833-367-8975 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, to request a refund or replacement coupon.

Check Your Bathroom Hand Soap

Thousands of bottles of hand soap distributed in 15 states are being recalled because they may be contaminated with bacteria, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall, initiated on June 29 by Intercon Chemical Co. of St. Louis, covers 2,696 cases of six products:

  • Laura Lynn Honey Apple Crisp Liquid Hand Soap
  • Laura Lynn Foaming Pear Scent Hand Soap with Moisturizers
  • Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe
  • Clearly Better by Intercon Foaming Pear Hand Soap With Aloe
  • Summit 150 Foaming Hand Soap
  • Vestis Foaming Hand Soap, Fresh Pear Scent

The products were shipped to wholesalers and retailers in California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

The FDA classified the action as a Class II recall, meaning the products could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems, but the risk of serious harm is considered remote. Some products may contain several species of pseudomonas and serratia bacteria.

53 Burn Injuries From Blankets

(Photo via CPSC)

JKMax has recalled about 195,000 heated blankets and heating pads after receiving 577 reports of the products smoking, melting or burning, including 53 reports of burn injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The internal heating elements can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. The recall covers all JKMax heated blankets and heating pads, including models JKMAX-002, JKMAX-7284B, JKMAX-6284B, JKMAX-10090B, and JKMAX-8490B. Model numbers are printed on the back of the detachable white remote and on the product packaging.

The blankets and pads were sold on Amazon from September 2022 through July 2026, individually and in two-packs. They came in blue, gray, brown and red and were sold in multiple sizes.

Consumers should stop using the products immediately and contact JKMax for a full refund. More information is available at jkmaxrecall.com or by calling 800-917-5732 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Fire Truck Toys Sold At Target Recalled

(Photo via CPSC)

Melissa & Doug is recalling about 84,000 fire truck activity board toys sold exclusively at Target after receiving 26 reports that a small piece came loose, creating a choking hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company also received one report of a minor cut. The recall involves Lights & Sounds Fire Truck Activity Boards whose black fire hose port can detach.

The toys were sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide and Target.com from July 2025 through August 2026 for about $30. Affected toys have manufacturing date wheels showing April or May 2025 or March 2026. Packaging is marked with date code OET 25100, OET 25150 or OET 26064.

Consumers should stop using the toys and register at melissaanddoug.com/recall for a free replacement, a $30 refund by check or a $40 Melissa & Doug store credit. The company will provide instructions for disabling and disposing of the recalled toy.

Another Viral Squishy Toy Recalled

(Photo via CPSC)

Another viral squishy toy is being recalled because the water beads inside can expand if swallowed, potentially causing choking, intestinal blockages or death, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall covers about 276 Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun toys imported by Toyworld168. The translucent green toys contain glitter and water beads, have cartoon faces and come in tan plastic containers shaped like bamboo steamers. “Rainbow MYSTERY” and “SUGAR EDITION” are printed on the removable packaging labels.

The toys were sold for about $3 at third-party stores nationwide in June and July. No injuries have been reported.

The recall follows a similar one earlier this month involving about 8,000 GIHNJSI Squeezy Dumplings, which also contained expandable water beads and came in bamboo-steamer-shaped containers.

Consumers should stop using the Rainbow Mystery toys and contact Toyworld168 at toyworld16850@gmail.com for a full refund. They will be asked to mark the toy and container “RECALLED,” throw them away and email a photo showing their disposal.

Steering Issues Reported In VWs

Volkswagen is recalling 208,724 vehicles in the United States because a corroded bolt could break the steering rack housing and cause the driver to lose steering control, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguans, 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlases and 2019-2021 Audi Q3s. Moisture can collect around the right steering rack mounting bolt, causing it to corrode and eventually break. Drivers may hear metallic rattling or knocking from the front axle.

Volkswagen told regulators it is not aware of any related crashes, injuries or deaths in North America. The company estimates about 1 percent of the recalled vehicles have the defect.

Dealers will replace the bolt with one featuring a more corrosion-resistant coating at no charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 10.

Roof Racks May Fly Off These Jeeps

Jeep is recalling 97,349 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs because improperly tightened roof rack bolts could allow the crossbars to detach and create a road hazard, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers certain 2022-2025 Jeep Wagoneers, 2022-2026 Grand Wagoneers, 2023-2025 Wagoneer Ls and 2023-2026 Grand Wagoneer Ls equipped with roof crossbars.

Drivers may hear rattling or notice that a crossbar is missing a bolt or has separated at its pivot joint. Jeep parent company FCA US has received 15 potentially related warranty claims but is not aware of any crashes or injuries.

Dealers will replace the roof rack crossbar pivot bolts at no charge. Interim letters warning owners of the risk are expected to be mailed Oct. 8, with another notice to follow when replacement parts are available. Owners may call Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403 or check their vehicle identification number at NHTSA.gov. The company’s recall number is 81D.

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