A.S.K. Foods Recalls Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas Due to Mislabeling

PALMYRA, Pa. (December 19, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that A.S.K. Foods, LLC is voluntarily recalling select 32-ounce containers of Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas due to a critical labeling error. According to the FDA, the product containers may have an incorrect ingredient label on the bottom that fails to declare soy, a major allergen. This mislabeling poses a serious or life-threatening risk to consumers with soy allergies or severe sensitivities.

Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas Recall: Quick Summary

A.S.K. Foods, LLC has issued a recall for specific lots of Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas sold exclusively at Publix stores in Florida. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product packaging—a plastic tray—featured the correct “Rice & Pigeon Peas” label on top but an incorrect ingredient label intended for “Three Cheese Mac & Cheese” on the bottom. The incorrect label lists “Cavatappi Pasta” as the first ingredient and does not declare soy, which is present in the Rice & Pigeon Peas. Consumers with soy allergies should not consume this product and are urged to return it to the store for a full refund.

What Happened?

The FDA reported that the recall was triggered by a packaging discrepancy where the top and bottom labels of the product did not match. While the top label correctly identifies the product as Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas, the bottom label displays the ingredient statement for “Three Cheese Mac & Cheese”. Because the Mac & Cheese ingredients do not include soy, the allergen—which is an ingredient in the Rice & Pigeon Peas—is missing from the mandatory declaration.

In its recall announcement, A.S.K. Foods, LLC confirmed that the affected products were distributed only to Publix retail stores within the state of Florida. The agency stated that no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.

Affected Products

Brand	Product	Size	Lid Codes	GTIN	Issue	Distribution
Publix	Rice & Pigeon Peas	32 oz (2 lb)	5387-4, 5387-5, 5387-6	4141584361	Undeclared Soy	Florida Only

What Caused the Issue?

According to the recall notice, the issue stems from an operational error during packaging where the wrong bottom label (intended for a different product, Three Cheese Mac & Cheese) was applied to the trays of Rice & Pigeon Peas. This “wrong package/wrong label” scenario is a frequent cause of Class I recalls, as it misleads consumers relying on the ingredient list for safety.

Company officials stated that the bottom label lists “CAVATAPPI PASTA” as the first ingredient, which is a clear visual indicator of the error for consumers checking the package. The primary health risk is anaphylaxis or other serious allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to soy.

Questions You Might Have

1. What specific product is recalled?Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas in 32 oz plastic trays.
2. How can I tell if my package is affected?Check the bottom label. If the ingredient list starts with “CAVATAPPI PASTA” instead of rice ingredients, it is the recalled product.
3. What are the Lid Codes?Look for codes 5387-4, 5387-5, or 5387-6 printed on the lid.
4. Is it safe if I don’t have a soy allergy?Yes, if you do not have a soy allergy, the product is technically safe to eat, although the label is incorrect regarding ingredients.
5. Where was it sold?It was sold exclusively at Publix stores in Florida.
6. Has anyone gotten sick?No illnesses have been reported to date.
7. What is the correct product supposed to be?Rice & Pigeon Peas (top label), but the bottom says Mac & Cheese.
8. Can I get a refund?Yes, you can return the product to any Publix store for a full refund.
9. Who made the product?A.S.K. Foods, LLC, a supplier for Publix based in Palmyra, PA.
10. Who can I call?You can contact A.S.K. Foods, LLC at (717) 838-6356 x 132 (Mon–Sun, 8 am–5 pm EST).

Here’s What You Should Do

• Check the Bottom Label: Turn the package over. If the ingredients list “Cavatappi Pasta” first, you have the mislabeled unit.
• Verify Codes: Check the lid for codes 5387-4, 5387-5, or 5387-6.
• Do Not Consume: If you or a family member has a soy allergy, do not eat this product.
• Return it: Take the product back to Publix for a refund.

Behind the Brand

A.S.K. Foods, LLC is a food manufacturer based in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, known for producing prepared deli salads, sides, and entrees for grocery retailers. The company has supplied private label products for various supermarket chains. This is not their first allergen-related recall; in 2017, they recalled a potato salad due to undeclared eggs, and in 2020, a lobster salad was recalled for undeclared anchovies, milk, and soy.

Other Relevant Recalls

This recall joins a series of recent labeling errors affecting major grocery brands. In mid-December 2025, The James Skinner LLC recalled Publix Maple Walnut Coffee Cake after packaging misidentified it as Raspberry Coffee Cake and failed to declare walnuts. Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods also recalled Decorated Pound Cakes for undeclared soy. Keurig Dr Pepper similarly recalled McCafé Premium Roast Decaf Coffee Pods over possible caffeine mislabeling. Together, these incidents highlight the critical importance of ensuring that packaging and labeling accurately reflect the food product inside.

In a comparable packaging mix up affecting a major retailer, Publix recalled its Rich & Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream earlier this fall after discovering that cartons labeled as regular Vanilla actually contained French Vanilla, which includes eggs. This errors, affecting half gallon containers distributed across Alabama, Georgia, and other southeastern states, created a severe hazard for consumers with egg allergies who rely on accurate ingredient statements. Much like the A.S.K. Foods incident, this case underscores how operational labeling failures can bypass safety checks and endanger vulnerable shoppers.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said regarding the frequency of labeling errors:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability.”

Ensuring Safe Eats

Mislabeling remains a leading cause of food recalls in the U.S., often resulting from simple operational mix-ups during packaging changeovers. For consumers with food allergies, these errors can be dangerous. Always cross-check the product appearance with the description on the label—if a “Rice” dish lists “Pasta” as the first ingredient, it is a clear sign of a safety lapse.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision, ensuring that when recalls happen, supply chains are prepared to respond quickly. Contact Us!