Safety Alert: 6 Major Food and Home Recalls Affecting Families

Food recalls are issued when a product may cause illness, injury, or other harm. They can be initiated voluntarily by manufacturers or mandated by government agencies such as the FDA, USDA, or CPSC.

Common reasons include:

• Contamination with harmful bacteria or substances
• Undeclared allergens on labels
• Misbranding or mislabeling
• Product defects that create safety hazards

For parents, these recalls are especially important because they directly affect the food and household products used every day.

This past week (August 25–31, 2025), six major recalls were announced that families should be aware of:

1. Radioactive Shrimp Sold at Walmart

• Product: Great Value Frozen Raw Shrimp EZ-Peel & Deveined Tail-On (21–25 per pound)
• Risk: Possible contamination with Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope linked to cancer risk.
• Action: Do not consume. Return to Walmart or discard.
• Where Sold: Walmart stores in 13 states, including Florida, Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

2. Salad Kits with Undeclared Allergens

• Product: Taylor Farms Honey Balsamic Salad Kits (6 oz. and 8.3 oz.)
• Risk: Dressing contained undeclared soy and sesame (serious allergens).
• Action: Discard or return to Walmart for a refund.
• Where Sold: Walmart stores in over 20 states.

3. Hostess Ding Dong Snack Cakes

• Product: Hostess Chocolate Ding Dongs (various pack sizes)
• Risk: Mold contamination caused by a production failure.
• Action: Do not eat. Discard immediately.
• Where Sold: Nationwide.

4. Viva Raw Pet Food (Dogs & Cats)

• Product: Raw chicken, beef, and turkey pet food (various lots)

• Risk: Listeria and Salmonella contamination, which can sicken pets and spread to humans.
• Action: Do not feed to pets. Dispose safely. Contact Viva Raw for refunds.
• Where Sold: Nationwide via direct sales and select retailers.

5. RYOBI Electric Pressure Washers

• Product: RYOBI 2300 & 2700 PSI Electric Pressure Washers
• Risk: Overheating and potential explosions, causing injuries.
• Action: Stop using immediately. Contact RYOBI for a repair kit.
• Where Sold: Home Depot, Direct Tools Factory Outlet, and online.

6. Attic Fan Motors

• Product: Certain Air Vent Electric Motors for attic fans (sold 2003–2013)
• Risk: Fire hazard due to overheating.
• Action: Stop using. Contact Air Vent for a refund.
• Where Sold: Lowe’s, ABC Supply, Beacon, and other wholesalers nationwide.

Why This Matters for Parents and Families

These recalls show that food and household safety require constant attention. Contaminated foods, undeclared allergens, and unsafe home products all carry risks for children and families.

Practical steps for families include:

• Staying updated through recall alerts on FDA, USDA, and CPSC websites
• Checking product labels carefully before use
• Returning or discarding recalled items promptly
• Teaching children to avoid eating food that looks unusual or comes from open packaging.

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