Class I U.S. Food and Drug Administration

George J. Howe Sunflower Seeds recall: Undeclared Cashews

Recall published 6 months ago

Undeclared Cashews

George J. Howe Other food products — recalled other food productsGeorge J. Howe Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)George J. Howe Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 3)
3 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared peanuts or tree nuts

An undeclared allergen — peanuts or tree nuts — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

What the notice says: Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts are at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Why it matters: The label does not declare peanuts or tree nuts, so anyone who reads labels to avoid it has no way of knowing it is in there. For people without that allergy the product is safe to eat.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
H-1118-2026, H-1119-2026, H-1120-2026, H-1121-2026, H-1122-2026, H-1123-2026
Published
May 7, 2026
Risk level
Class I
Status
Terminated
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
George J. Howe
Product type
Other food products
Units affected
1797.67 Cases; 578.50 Cases; 8.00 Cases
Distribution
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin
Sold at
Piggly Wiggly, Giant Eagle, Walmart
Lot / code info
07317100316 — 07317100320 — 07317102701 — 00501138 — 00501139 — 00601138
UPC codes
073171003163, 073171003200, 073171027015
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date .

Products covered by this recall

Sunflower Seeds

What the company announced

George J. Howe Co. of Grove City, Pennsylvania is voluntarily recalling 13,619 pounds of Sunflower Seeds because it may contain undeclared tree nut (cashew) allergens. Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts are at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. This product is safe to consume for anyone who does not have a Tree Nut (Cashew) allergy or sensitivity to Tree Nuts (Cashews).

The product was distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and reached consumers through retail grocery chains (including Foodland, Giant Eagle, Piggly Wiggly, Shop Rite, Shop N Save, Walmart and independent grocers), foodservice accounts, specialty retailers, concession/airport operators, and institutional customers across multiple states.

The recalled product can be identified as follows:

Plastic Stand-Up Pouch Container, 11 oz, Blue with SUNFLOWER SEEDS brand name, “Fresh Roasted Sunflower Seeds, Lightly Salted”, UPC of 073171003163, Best By Expiration Dates of 08/28/2026, 09/18/2026, 10/01/2026, 10/09/2026, 11/18/2026, and 12/12/2026

Plastic Stand-Up Pouch Container, 11 oz, Blue with SUNFLOWER SEEDS brand name, “Fresh Roasted Sunflower Seeds, No Salt”, UPC of 073171003200, Best By Expiration Dates of 09/24/2026, 10/30/2026, 11/18/2026, and 12/11/2026

Plastic Tub, 9.5 oz, Gold Label with Sunflower Seeds brand name, “Sunflower Seeds, roasted and salted.”, UPC of 073171027015, Best By Expiration Dates of 7/22/2026 and 09/05/2026

All products declare an allergen warning that “This product was packaged in a facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk products, soy, wheat and eggs.”

No illnesses have been reported to date .

The voluntary recall was initiated after the company discovered in a routine inspection that Sunflower Seeds containing Tree Nut (Cashews) were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of Tree Nut (Cashews). Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by an oversight in the company’s production process at the changeover of products.

Consumers who have purchased the affected Sunflower Seeds are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the George J Howe Company at (800) 367 4693 M-F 8:00am to 5:00pm EST, or by email at [email protected] .

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 9 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 073171003163
  • 073171003200
  • 073171027015

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 09/18/202
  • 10/30/202
  • 09/05/2

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 619 pounds
  • 11 oz
  • 9.5 oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Nuts

George J. Howe — An undeclared allergen — peanuts or tree nuts — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids peanuts or tree nuts, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. Tell anyone else who eats from your kitchen, including childminders, schools and anyone catering an event you contributed to.
  3. Keep the pack if you want a refund, or photograph the label and the lot code and then bin it. If nobody in the house avoids peanuts or tree nuts, you may simply eat it — the recall is about disclosure, not spoilage.
  4. Make sure the household epinephrine auto-injector is where it should be and in date, if someone here carries one.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the affected Sunflower Seeds are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: George J. Howe Co. — Consumers: George J Howe Company, (800) 367 4693, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was George J. Howe other food products recalled?

Undeclared Cashews Individuals with an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts are at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 073171003163, 073171003200, 073171027015; best-by date 09/18/202 or 10/30/202. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

If anyone in your household avoids peanuts or tree nuts, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased the affected Sunflower Seeds are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and others.

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