WASHINGTON, DC — Federal food safety officials have issued separate recall notices for Walmart Great Value canned fruit cocktail and more than 1.5 million pounds of Kayem ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. The two recalls involve different hazards, but both could affect food already in consumers’ homes.
The Great Value cans may contain elevated lead levels, while the Kayem products may have been held at unsafe temperatures after a warehouse cooler experienced fluctuations. The FDA and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service each posted identification details to help shoppers check whether products they bought are included. Consumers are being told to throw the items away or return them to the store where they were purchased.
Walmart Great Value fruit cocktail recalled over possible lead contamination
On Oct. 1, Pacific Coast Producers initiated a recall of 1,836 cases of 15-ounce Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice From Concentrate. The products were sold under Walmart’s Great Value label and distributed in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wyoming.
The recall was tied to potentially elevated levels of lead. Consumers are being asked to check the can for lot number 6FCB 04 C2263, UPC 078742369570 and a best-by date of Sept. 1, 2027. Those details identify the affected cans, according to the FDA recall notice.
Lead exposure can be especially dangerous when it continues over time. Adults may face blood pressure, kidney and reproductive problems, while children are at higher risk for lasting harm to the brain and nervous system.
Why lead in food is a concern for adults and children
Officials warn that there is no known safe level of lead exposure for children. Even small amounts can interfere with development and may contribute to learning problems, behavior changes and hearing loss. Exposure during pregnancy can also affect a developing fetus.
In adults, repeated or prolonged exposure can lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues, joint and muscle pain, headaches and mood disorders. Because canned foods are often stored for long periods, food safety checks are meant to catch problems before they spread beyond a single product lot.
Federal officials have pointed consumers to the product identifiers so they can quickly determine whether a can in the pantry is part of the recall. Anyone who finds the affected fruit cocktail is advised not to eat it.
Kayem recall covers more than 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat products
On Oct. 17, Massachusetts-based Kayem Foods Inc. recalled more than 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products after learning they may have been stored at unsafe temperatures. The company said it became aware of the issue after a customer reported products were delivered warm on Oct. 1.
According to the USDA, the investigation found that a warehouse cooler used to store the foods had temperature fluctuations. The recalled products were produced between about March 31 and Oct. 7, 2026, then distributed to retail stores and food-service establishments across the United States and in Hong Kong.
The USDA classified the action as a Class I recall, its highest health-risk category. At the time of the announcement, no confirmed illnesses had been reported.
How to identify the Kayem products covered by the USDA notice
Because the recall covers numerous items, consumers are being told to compare package labels with the USDA’s recall announcement. The affected products carry one of three establishment numbers inside the USDA mark of inspection: EST. M/P 7839, EST. P 20935A or EST. M 9520.
The USDA said improper refrigeration can allow harmful bacteria to multiply when foods are held in the temperature danger zone, between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That can create the risk of foodborne illness even when a product looks and smells normal.
Possible symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. Older adults, pregnant people, young children and people with weakened immune systems can face more serious complications.
What consumers should do if they bought either recalled item
Federal officials say anyone who has the recalled Great Value fruit cocktail or the affected Kayem products should not eat them. The recommended steps are to discard the items or bring them back to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement, if available.
For the fruit cocktail, the identifying details are the easiest way to check a can quickly. For the Kayem products, shoppers may need to consult the USDA notice and inspect the packaging carefully because many items are included in the recall.
The two actions reflect different safety problems, but both are reminders to review pantry and refrigerator items when major recalls are announced. The FDA and USDA notices are meant to help households spot products before they are served.
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