Food recalls happen more often than you might think. And they can be more than inconvenient.
In 2024, a listeria outbreak in Boar's Head deli meat killed 10 people. Hamburgers at McDonald's were linked to E. coli outbreaks and killed one person, while another 27 ended up in hospitals across the country.
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In recent months, Costco recalled smoked salmon, Fresh Express recalled salad bowls, and breakfast-food maker Tree House Foods all had recalls. Fortunately, there were no illnesses or deaths linked to those products.
Just last week Kroger and Walmart recalled a ready-to-eat meat product that was contaminated with listeria. Three people died and another 17 were injured after consuming FreshRealm Chicken.
Now Trader Joe's is recalling a product that is also contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, although no one is known to be sickened yet.
Trader Joe's recalling a popular cheese snack
Trader Joe’s just issued a news release alerting customers about Face Rock Creamery’s Vampire Slayer Cheese Curds, which are potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a disease-causing bacterium known to cause listeriosis.
Listeriosis causes symptoms like fever, headaches, confusion, and seizures and is most likely to harm pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Vampire Slayer Cheese Curds affected by this recall are marked Lot Code: Use BY 082925.
Related: Favorite grill food recalled for major contamination
The affected product is only found at Trader Joe's locations in Central and Northern California, including Monterey and Fresno, and in Reno, Sparks, and Carson City in Northern Nevada.
Trader Joe's recommends discarding the product or bringing the container to your location for a refund. You can also call the company’s customer relations team at (626) 599-3817, send an email, or submit a message via the company's product feedback form.
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The beloved grocery chain has had an increase in food product recalls in recent years, including six so far in 2025. This year's recalls have been related to the presence of undeclared allergens or plastic, cracked or damaged plastic bottles, and defective packaging.
Food recalls are increasing
During the Covid pandemic, the number of food recalls dipped, but they have been on the rise again. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a total of 1,908 products were recalled between September 2023 and 2024.
Overall, the number of convenience foods available in many grocery stores has increased, coupled with unsanitary farming practices and unclean facilities, according to food safety experts. Contamination with allergens is the most common reason (38%) for a recall, followed by bacterial contamination (21.8%), and then contamination with a foreign object (11%).
Late last year, Trader Joe’s was placed in the so-called “Toxic Hall of Shame” by the organization Toxic-Free Future because the nonprofit alleges Trader Joe's doesn't protect consumers from toxic chemicals in its packaging.
Related: Popular appliance sold at Costco recalled for dangerous glitch
