Walmart Recalls Chicken Broth Brand in 9 States – Details

The FDA has recalled chicken broth sold at Walmart in nine states due to spoilage risks, with Walmart reportedly advising customers to discard it and seek a refund.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled over 2,000 cases of chicken broth sold at Walmart in nine states due to a packaging defect that may cause spoilage, USA Today reported on January 13.

According to the FDA's enforcement report, the product is a "Great Value, Chicken Broth, 48 oz. , Aseptic paper cartons, 6 retail units per case, 120 cases/pallet." The reason for the recall is due to a "Potential for packaging failures that could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage."

The affected cartons are labeled with a "Best Used By" date of March 25, 2026, a batch or lot code of 98F09234, and the following Universal Product Codes (UPCs): 007874206684 for retail units and 078742066844 for cases.

Tree House Foods Inc., the manufacturer, voluntarily recalled the product on December 11, 2024. The company reportedly distributed 2,023 cases to 242 Walmart stores across nine states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

According to the FDA's report, Tree House Foods initially notified consignees of the recall by telephone. The recall remains ongoing, and the company has not issued a press release.

Walmart reportedly removed the affected products from its shelves immediately after learning about the issue. In a statement to USA Today Walmart said, "The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority."

Their statement continued, "As soon as we were made aware of the issue, we took action to remove all impacted (products) from … select, impacted stores. We are continuing to work with the supplier to investigate."

Walmart advised customers who purchased the product not to consume it and to dispose of it immediately. Customers can also request a full refund.

This is not the first time a Great Value product has faced an FDA recall. Last year, Great Value 100% Apple Juice, sold in 8-ounce plastic bottles in six-packs, was recalled because the "Product contains inorganic arsenic above action level set in industry guidance (13.2ppb)."

The voluntary recall, initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc. on August 23, 2024, was classified as a Class II recall by the FDA and affected 9,535 cases distributed to retail locations in 25 states, including Alabama, Florida, New York, and the territory of Puerto Rico.

On September 13, 2024, Refresco Beverages issued a statement explaining that the recall was initiated "out of an abundance of caution."

The company stated that it became aware certain lots of their apple juice, made with supplier-provided concentrate, contained inorganic arsenic levels slightly above the FDA's 10 parts per billion (ppb) action threshold.

The company assured that no incidents had been reported and encouraged consumers to check the FDA's recall list for more information. The recalled apple juice, marked with a "Best if Used by DEC2824 CT89-6" code, remains under an ongoing recall.

A similar situation occurred with a popular chip brand, which was also subject to an FDA recall recently.

On December 16, 2024, Frito-Lay published a bulletin on their website announcing the recall of select 13 oz. bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips. The recall followed an alert from a consumer.

Frito-Lay's recall specifically targeted bags of chips that contained undeclared milk, posing a serious risk to individuals with milk allergies or sensitivities.

The company confirmed that the affected products were distributed to select retail and e-commerce locations in Oregon and Washington and noted that customers could have purchased these chips as early as November 3, 2024.

Thankfully, the recall notice stated that no allergic reactions linked to the chips had been reported at the time. However, it advised consumers to remain vigilant, check the product specifics, including a "Guaranteed Fresh" date of February 11, 2025, UPC 28400 31041, and manufacturing codes 6462307xx or 6463307xx, and discard the chips immediately if they had a milk allergy.

​​A representative for Frito-Lay confirmed the recall details in a statement to Newsweek, emphasizing the company's commitment to transparency and consumer safety.

In their comment, the representative also clarified that no other Lay's products — including flavors, sizes, or variety packs — were involved in the recall.

Additionally, affected customers were able to reach out to Frito-Lay's Consumer Relations team at 1-800-352-4477 during regular business hours for assistance.

Two days after Frito-Lay announced the recall, the FDA re-published the same details on their official website to further amplify the message and ensure public awareness and safety.

According to the Mayo Clinic, milk allergy ranked among the most common food allergies in children and resulted from an abnormal immune system response to milk proteins.

While cow's milk triggered most reactions, milk from other mammals, such as sheep, goats, and buffalo, also caused allergic responses.

These reactions would occur because the immune system mistakenly identified specific proteins in milk—such as casein, found in the curd, or whey, found in the liquid portion—as harmful. This would release histamines and other chemicals, causing a range of symptoms.

The Mayo Clinic also stated that symptoms of a milk allergy could appear within minutes or take hours to develop after consuming milk or milk-containing products. Immediate reactions might include hives, swelling of the lips or throat, wheezing, coughing, vomiting, or an itchy or tingling sensation around the mouth.

Delayed symptoms could include digestive issues such as loose stools, abdominal cramps, or colic in infants, as well as respiratory symptoms like a runny nose or watery eyes.

In severe cases, milk allergies may trigger anaphylaxis — a life-threatening reaction that narrows the airways and makes breathing difficult. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include a swollen throat, a sharp drop in blood pressure, facial flushing, and even shock.

Immediate treatment with an epinephrine injection followed by a trip to the emergency room is essential in such situations.

When unpacking adverse reactions to milk, it's important to distinguish a true milk allergy from lactose intolerance or milk protein intolerance, as they are fundamentally different conditions.

Unlike a milk allergy, which involves the immune system, lactose intolerance is a digestive issue caused by the body's inability to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk. Symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea, are typically less severe and do not pose the same risks as a milk allergy.

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing a milk allergy. For example, children with atopic dermatitis — a chronic inflammatory skin condition — are more prone to food allergies, including milk. A family history of allergies such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema also raises the risk.

Moreover, milk allergies are most common in young children, as their digestive systems are still developing. Fortunately, many children outgrow the allergy as they age, though some carry it into adulthood.

On the matter of treatment, there is no cure for milk allergies, but avoiding milk and milk-containing products is the most effective way to prevent allergic reactions.

This can be challenging, as milk proteins are often hidden in processed foods, baked goods, candies, and even non-dairy-labeled items. However, key terms like "casein," "whey," or "lact-" (such as lactose or lactate) on food labels signal the presence of milk proteins.

Parents and caregivers of children with milk allergies need to be particularly vigilant. For infants, breastfeeding or hypoallergenic formulas are recommended, as traditional milk-based formulas may trigger reactions.

If breastfeeding, mothers may need to eliminate dairy from their own diets if cow's milk proteins pass through breast milk and cause symptoms in their babies.

Additional management tips include asking about food preparation in restaurants, which is vital, as foods like seafood or steak might be prepared with butter, which could lead to accidental exposure.

For those at risk of severe reactions, carrying emergency epinephrine, such as an EpiPen, is essential. Wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace can also help inform others of the allergy in emergencies.

Living with a milk allergy can have a significant impact on quality of life. Dietary restrictions may lead to nutritional deficiencies, particularly in calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients found in milk.

Thus, consulting a healthcare provider or dietitian can help individuals plan balanced meals and consider supplements to fill these nutritional gaps.

Additionally, the stress of avoiding milk exposure can take a toll on individuals and families, as milk is present in many everyday foods. However, with proper education, planning, and vigilance, most people with milk allergies can lead safe and healthy lives.