KEASBEY, N.J. (September 14, 2026). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Wakefern Food Corp. is recalling select containers of Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce because of elevated patulin levels.
According to the FDA-posted announcement, routine agency testing identified patulin levels that exceeded food safety limits and Wakefern’s quality standards. So far, no illnesses or injuries associated with the recalled product have been reported.
Wholesome Pantry recall: quick summary
Wakefern Food Corp. is recalling 23-ounce plastic jars of Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce after routine FDA testing detected elevated levels of patulin.
Specifically, the recall covers jars with UPC 04119005677 and a best-by date of June 16, 2027. Additionally, Wakefern distributed the affected apple sauce through ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market.
According to the FDA-posted announcement, patulin levels in the product exceeded acceptable food safety limits. So far, no illnesses or injuries have been reported in connection with the recall.
Official recall details
- Company announcement date: September 14, 2026
- FDA publication date: September 22, 2026
- Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Company: Wakefern Food Corp.
- Brand: Wholesome Pantry
- Product: Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce
- Issue: Elevated levels of patulin
- Package size: 23 oz plastic jar
- UPC: 04119005677
- Best-by date: June 16, 2027
- Distribution: ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market
- Reported illnesses or injuries: None
- Consumer action: Do not consume the recalled apple sauce. Return it to the store for an immediate refund or replacement.
- Want to know more about what happened? Keep reading.
What happened?
According to the FDA-posted announcement, Wakefern initiated the recall after routine FDA monitoring identified elevated patulin levels in Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce.
Specifically, the recall applies to 23-ounce plastic jars with UPC 04119005677 and a best-by date of June 16, 2027. Additionally, Wakefern distributed the product through five of its supermarket banners.
According to the company, the detected patulin levels exceeded food safety limits and did not meet its quality standards. However, the announcement did not disclose the specific concentration detected during testing.
Importantly, Wakefern said no other products sold at the affected supermarkets are included in the recall. So far, Wakefern has reported no illnesses or injuries associated with the apple sauce.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best-by date | Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wholesome Pantry | Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce | 23 oz plastic jar | 04119005677 | June 16, 2027 | Elevated patulin levels |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA-posted announcement, routine FDA testing identified elevated patulin levels in the recalled apple sauce. Patulin is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by certain molds that can grow on damaged, bruised, or moldy apples.
However, the recall announcement provides no details about how patulin entered this specific product and identifies no root cause. It also provides no indication that Wakefern used damaged or moldy apples to manufacture the recalled apple sauce.
The FDA explains that exposure to high levels of patulin over time may pose a health hazard. The agency also notes that consuming apple products contaminated with patulin can cause effects such as nausea and vomiting.
Food Safety Insight
“When a contaminant such as patulin can persist through processing, preventive controls need to focus on the condition of the raw material before production begins,” said Cherry Ann S. Portugal, Professional Food Technologist at Source86.
“Careful fruit selection, removal of damaged or mold-affected material, and appropriate storage and handling practices can help manufacturers reduce the risk before apples enter processing.”
Here’s what you should do
Consumers who purchased Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce should:
- Do not consume jars matching the recalled product information.
- Check for UPC 04119005677 on 23-ounce plastic jars.
- Look for the June 16, 2027 best-by date.
- Return the recalled product to the store for an immediate refund or replacement.
- Contact 1-800-ShopRite (1-800-746-7748) with questions, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Behind the brand
Wakefern Food Corp. is a retailer-owned cooperative founded in 1946. Today, its member companies independently own and operate hundreds of supermarkets across the northeastern United States.
Within its Private Label portfolio, Wholesome Pantry launched in 2016 with a focus on free-from and organic foods. In addition, the brand includes pantry staples, snacks, packaged salads, nut butters, and other products across multiple food categories.
More recently, Wakefern refreshed the packaging for its Wholesome Pantry Organic and Free-From lines. According to the company, Wholesome Pantry Organic products use certified organic ingredients and follow the brand’s Free-From standards.
Other relevant recalls
Other Source86 coverage involving organic products, ingredient safety, and contamination concerns includes:
- Great Value Recalls Organic Triple Berry Blend Over Possible E. Coli Contamination
- Foods Alive Recalls Organic Moringa Leaf Powder Over Possible Salmonella Contamination
- Everything Sprouts Expands Recall to Robust Radish Mix Over E. Coli and Salmonella Risk
- Kofinas Recalls Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil Over Unapproved Culinary Ingredient
Regulatory context
The FDA identifies patulin as a mycotoxin produced by certain molds, with apples and apple-derived products among the foods most commonly associated with the contaminant.
Specifically, for apple juice, concentrates, and apple juice products, the FDA has established a patulin action level of 50 parts per billion. However, the Wakefern recall announcement does not provide a test result or state the specific concentration found in the recalled apple sauce.
In addition, the agency’s juice safety guidance explains that removing damaged, rotten, or moldy fruit and maintaining appropriate storage practices can help control patulin. Importantly, thermal processing does not effectively control patulin because the toxin can survive pasteurization.
Therefore, for manufacturers, suppliers, Co-Packers, and Private Label brands working with apple-based products, raw material controls can play an important role. For example, supplier specifications, fruit quality standards, storage controls, testing, and traceability can provide multiple layers of verification.
Ensuring safe eats
Ultimately, the Wholesome Pantry recall highlights the importance of monitoring naturally occurring chemical hazards throughout the food supply chain. In particular, testing and strong raw material controls can help identify elevated contaminant levels before products reach consumers.
For now, consumers should check Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce for the affected UPC and best-by date. Consumers should avoid eating recalled jars and return them to the store for a refund or replacement.
Patulin starts in damaged or moldy apples and survives cooking, so Source86 sets fruit-grading and patulin limits in apple ingredient specifications instead of relying on finished-product tests. Sourcing apple puree or concentrate? Request our patulin specification.
