Highest risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Walker’s Wine Juice Pumpkin Juice recall: Potential Foodborne Illness - Botulism

Recall published 1+ years ago

Potential Foodborne Illness - Botulism

The hazard: Botulism risk

The concern here is Clostridium botulinum. Under-processed shelf-stable food can allow the toxin to form inside a sealed, normal-looking container.

What the notice says: Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning and can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble with speaking or swallowing.

Why it matters: This product may not have been processed in a way that reliably destroys Clostridium botulinum spores. The toxin they can produce in a sealed container is one of the most dangerous substances in food safety, and it is tasteless and odourless.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Botulism is a medical emergency. The CDC lists double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the face and moves down the body. In an infant, watch for poor feeding, a weak cry, drooping eyelids and unusual floppiness. Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if any of these appear after eating a recalled product — treatment works best when it is given early.

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

Published
April 1, 2025
Risk level
Highest risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Walker’s Wine Juice
Product type
Beverages
Distribution
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Pumpkin Juice

What the company announced

Walker’s Wine Juice LLC of Forestville, NY is recalling its pumpkin juice because it may be contaminated with Botulism . Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning and can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Product was distributed via Walker’s Wine Juice retail store in NY. The juice was also distributed directly by Walker’s to a limited number of commercial wineries in the following states: IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, PA, WI.

Products can be identified as follows:

2.5-gallon bag in box and 5-gallon hot pack are labeled “pumpkin”; All lots are subject to the recall

30-, 60-, and 275-gallon bulk containers are tagged “pumpkin”; All lots are subject to the recall

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The potential contamination was discovered after an inspection by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors found that the pumpkin juice pH was too high to be processed per Walker’s “hot fill” schedule process. As a result, it was determined that no adequate kill step was used to address the possibility of microbiological hazards.

Consumers are urged to contact Walker’s Wine Juice to determine appropriate disposal of the remaining product and determine other appropriate steps including a calculation of reimbursement.

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

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • 60
  • 275-gallon

Package size

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

  • 2.5 gallon
  • 5 gallon
  • 275 gallon

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 Botulism

Walker’s Wine Juice — The concern here is Clostridium botulinum. Under-processed shelf-stable food can allow the toxin to form inside a sealed, normal-looking container.

  1. Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.
  2. Throw it away so nobody else can retrieve it, or follow the disposal wording in the official notice if it specifies a method.
  3. Wash anything the contents spilled on with a bleach solution and wear gloves while you do it.
  4. If anyone has eaten it and has blurred vision, trouble swallowing or weakness, call 911 — this does not wait for an appointment.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: Walker’s Wine Juice LLC — Consumers: Matthew Walker, 716-679-1292 x 1016

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 Walker’s Wine Juice beverages recalled?

Potential Foodborne Illness - Botulism Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning and can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble with speaking or swallowing.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: lot code 60, 275-gallon. 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?

Do not taste it. Not even a small amount, and not to check whether it has turned.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin.

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