A recall first announced on February 21, 2025 by Shearer’s Foods, LLC, based in Massillon, Ohio, for various brands of oyster crackers due to possible contamination with stainless steel wire is ongoing. Food contaminated with foreign objects, like metal, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death.
Background
No press release was issued for this recall. How the potential contamination with steel wire was discovered has not yet been announced.
This recall is classified as a Class II recall, meaning that the impacted products may cause temporary health problems or that there is a slight risk of serious health issues from consumption.
Distribution
The recalled products were distributed under different brand news to Target, Walmart, and Giant Eagle retail stores in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Product Details
| Product | Retail Location | UPC Code | Sell by Date | Code Date | Weight | Packaging | Case Count | Quantity Recalled |
| Market Pantry Soup & Oyster Crackers | Target | 085239114933 | May 23 2025 | 23MAY2025BC06 | 9 oz (255 g) | Flexible plastic bags | 12 count per case | 3,330 cases |
| Great Value Soup & Oyster Crackers | Walmart | 078742085494 | MAY 23 2025 ABO6 MAY 23 2025 BBO6 MAY 23 2025 CBO6 | 9,720 cases | ||||
| Giant Eagle Oyster Crackers | Giant Eagle | 030034915087 | May 24 2025 | MAY 24 25 AB06 | 990 cases | |||
| Vista Soup & Oyster Crackers | No information provided | 045100008006 | 12 oz (340 g) | 1,440 cases | ||||
| Bulk Oyster Crackers | Not for retail sale | 10045100400203 | MAY 24 25 AB06 MAY 24 25 BB06 | 20 lbs | Bulk bag in box | NA | 394 cases |
Consumer Action
Consumers should search their homes to see if they have the recalled product.
As with all food recalls, consumers are strongly advised to discontinue use of the affected product even if it looks or smells safe to eat or if there are no visible signs of contamination by foreign objects.
Anyone in possession of the recalled products should not sell, serve, donate, or distribute them.
The recalled items should be disposed of immediately.
Health Risks
The recall notice did not say if there have been any reports of injuries in connection with the consumption of the impacted products.
Any consumer who has been exposed to the affected products, and is experiencing sickness or injury, should contact their medical provider immediately.
Food contaminated with metal has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, gums, tongue, throat, mouth, stomach, and intestines or even death in most people. Infants, the elderly, and recent surgery patients could also be at extreme risk of serious injury.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “These products were widely distributed to major retail locations across multiple states. I strongly advise consumers to search their homes and cease use of the affected products immediately.”
