04/03/2025 / By Ava Grace
In a startling development that has sent shockwaves through the wine and beverage industry, New York-based Walker’s Wine Juice LLC has issued a sweeping recall of its pumpkin juice.
The recall, which spans a dozen states, follows a routine inspection by food inspectors from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The inspection revealed a critical flaw: The juice’s acidity levels were too low to ensure proper sterilization through the “hot fill” process, raising concerns about the potential risk of botulism.
The affected products include 2.5-gallon bag-in-box and five-gallon hot pack containers labeled “pumpkin,” as well as 30-, 60- and 275-gallon bulk containers tagged with the same designation. These products were primarily distributed to professional wineries, but were also available for retail purchase at Walker’s Wine Juice store in Forestville, New York. Additionally, the juice was distributed to commercial wineries in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Botulism is caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is commonly found in soil, marine environments and on the surface of various foods. While the bacteria themselves are usually harmless, they can produce spores that, under certain conditions, release toxins.
These toxins attack the central nervous system, leading to paralysis of the muscles – including those crucial for breathing. This makes botulism a life-threatening condition, with a fatality rate of five to 10 percent. (Related: Everything you need to know about botulism.)
The risk of botulism is particularly high in low-acid foods and fermented products like wine. The lack of acidity in the pumpkin juice means that the “hot fill” process, which is designed to kill harmful bacteria, was ineffective. This failure to implement a ‘kill step’ has left the product vulnerable to contamination.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging anyone who has consumed the affected juice or wine made from it to be vigilant for symptoms of botulism. These include muscle weakness, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurry vision and difficulty breathing. If any of these symptoms are present, immediate medical attention is critical.
Meanwhile, Walker’s Wine Juice LLC has been proactive in addressing the issue. The company has initiated a recall and is reaching out to all commercial customers to ensure that any wine made from the recalled juice is removed from sale.
“We started contacting every commercial customer so they could remove the recalled wine they made with the juice from their sales,” said Matthew Walker, plant manager at Walker’s Wine Juice LLC. The company is also providing instructions on how to dispose of the affected products and is offering reimbursement to affected customers.
This recall of pumpkin juice is one of many that have been initiated this year due to concerns over potentially damaged products, foodborne illness, undeclared food allergens and bacterial contamination. The FDA reports that millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or allergies annually, with the nine major allergens being eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts.
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botulism, clean food watch, clostridium botulinum, contamination, Dangerous, food handling safety, food poisoning, food processing, food safety, hot fill process, Product recall, products, Pumpkin juice, risk, stop eating poison, Walker's Wine Juice LLC
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