Thousands of institutional peanut butter products remain under an FDA Class II recall after manufacturing inspections found the potential for blue plastic fragments to contaminate some products. The affected items were produced by Ventura Foods LLC and distributed through several food-service brands used by schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and commercial kitchens across the United States.
The recall originally began in 2025, but it drew renewed attention after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified it as a Class II recall. That designation means exposure could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, while the likelihood of serious long-term injury is considered low.
Food recalls involving foreign materials are treated seriously because the hazard cannot be detected by appearance alone. A product may look completely normal even if a hard plastic fragment is inside the package.
Why the FDA upgraded the recall
According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after blue plastic pieces were identified during production. Foreign material contamination differs from bacterial or chemical contamination because the danger is physical rather than biological.
Plastic fragments may create choking hazards or lead to cuts inside the mouth, damaged teeth or throat injuries. Young children, older adults and people with swallowing difficulties are generally considered the most vulnerable.
Which products are affected?
The recalled products were distributed under multiple food-service labels because institutional suppliers frequently package the same peanut butter for different commercial customers.
Brands identified in recall notices include US Foods, Flavor Fresh, Katy’s Kitchen, Dyma Brands, House Recipe by Sysco and Gordon Food Service, along with certain peanut butter-and-jelly snack twin packs supplied through Dyma-related brands.
The products were shipped to food-service customers in dozens of states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin and many others.
Why many people may not recognize these products
Unlike grocery-store items, institutional portion packs often reach consumers indirectly. They may be included with school lunches, hotel breakfasts, hospital meals, workplace cafeterias, airline catering or community food programs.
That means someone may have the affected peanut butter without ever purchasing it personally.
If you have recently brought home unopened condiment packets from one of these locations, it is worth checking whether they match the recalled products.
What should consumers do?
The FDA advises checking the product’s lot number and packaging information instead of relying on appearance. If a product matches the recall, it should not be eaten.
Current recall notices and affected lot numbers are available through the FDA’s official recall database.
How this recall compares with other recent food safety alerts
Recent FDA and USDA recalls have involved a wide range of food safety issues, including bacterial contamination, naturally occurring toxins and foreign materials. Unlike recalls involving E. coli, Salmonella or mold-related toxins, this peanut butter recall is based on the risk of physical injury from plastic contamination rather than foodborne illness.
Understanding that distinction helps explain why the FDA assigned a Class II classification instead of a higher-risk Class I recall.
Guidance for schools and food-service operators
Schools, healthcare facilities, hotels and commercial kitchens should review inventory carefully and isolate any affected peanut butter portion packs until lot numbers are confirmed. Staff responsible for preparing meals or snack packs should be informed so recalled products are not accidentally served.
Keeping accurate supplier records and responding quickly to recall notices helps reduce unnecessary waste while protecting public health.
For more food safety updates, see our coverage of the Aldi Fusia kimchi tofu kimbap recall.
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