Popular Snack Crackers Have Just Been Recalled Nationwide

Whether for the pool, a picnic, travel, or a weekend cheese board, it’s possible you’re passionate about a favorite kind of cracker. But according to a Tuesday afternoon recall, you’ll want to be on alert if you’re serving anyone with a food allergy.

On Tuesday, July 8, North Atlantic grocery chain Wegmans alerted consumers to the recall of Ritz Cracker Sandwiches due to a potentially dangerous labeling error. The recall applies to Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers (sold in both 8-count and 20-count packages) and the Ritz Filled Cracker Sandwich 20-count Variety Pack. According to a press release from Mondelēz Global, Inc., Ritz’s parent company, 40-count packages of Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches are also included in the recall.

Wegmans explains what prompted the recall: “The individually wrapped packs may be incorrectly labeled as the Cheese variety even though they actually contain the Peanut Butter variety, resulting in an undeclared peanut allergen.”

Worth mentioning is that Mondelēz Global, Inc. notes all outer cartons are labeled correctly and feature a peanut allergy warning.

Both Wegmans and Mondelēz Global, Inc. shared the following identifying details for the products, which are apparently being recalled nationwide:

11.4 oz Ritz Peanut Butter Sandwich Cracker, 8 ct

• UPC: 44000-88210
• Lot Code/Best If Used By Date: 1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 25, “AE” Plant Code Only

27.6 oz. Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, 20 ct

• UPC: 44000-07584
• Lot Code/Best If Used By Date: 1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 25, 2 JAN 26 – 22 JAN 26, “AE” Plant Code Only

27.3 oz. Ritz Filled Cracker Sandwich 20-count Variety Pack

• Contains 10 cheese 1.38-oz. packs and 10 peanut butter 1.38-oz. packs
• UPC: 44000-08095
• Lot Code/Best If Used By Date: 2 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 25, “RJ” Plant Code Only

55.2 oz. RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, 40 ct

• UPC: 44000-07819
• Lot Code/Best If Used By Date: 1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 25, 2 JAN 26 – 22 JAN 26, “AM” Plant Code Only

Peanuts are a leading food allergen in the United States, affecting around 4.6 million adults and many children, per The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The Cleveland Clinic says while some with this food allergy may experience symptoms like hives, itchy mouth, and swelling, others may experience more severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing or swallowing, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis.

According to the press release, Mondelēz Global voluntarily initiated the recall when it “discovered that film packaging rolls used to package individually wrapped products containing peanut butter may contain defects due to a supplier error.” The company notes that it is taking corrective actions to prevent this issue from occurring again.

While it appears that Wegmans is the only store to publish this recall advisory as of press time, Ritz products are also sold at Walmart, Kroger, Target, Amazon, and many other retailers. At this time it is unclear whether the affected lots were sold outside Wegmans.

Mondelēz Global urges customers to throw the product away. Wegmans says they will accept returns for a full refund.

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