Trader Joe’s Has Recalled Its Popular Pesto Sauce Across Multiple States — Here’s Why

Two potential allergens have recently been identified in certain batches of Trader Joe’s Genova Pesto, resulting in a recall administered by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in cooperation with the popular grocery chain. The manufacturer, Bakkavor USA, alerted consumers this week of the potential inclusion of both milk and walnuts after discovering a discrepancy within the labeling of both the lids and tubs that the pesto is packaged in. 

The recall details how the lids of the product bear the labeling of Genova Pesto sauce, as well as correctly identifies its contents, but the tubs are labeled as “Hummus Dip.” Due to the misleading packaging, the FDA has deemed the pesto potentially dangerous to consume as a result of the mislabeling of the tubs. Those who traditionally experience allergic reactions to milk and walnuts — specifically tree nuts — are encouraged to discard the pesto in question to avoid the potential of suffering serious or life-threatening reactions. 

Trader Joe’s locations affected by the recall have been narrowed down to Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Consumers can identify the recalled tubs by looking out for the following details: UPC lot number 0015 7353, Use By Date of 05/27/2023, and a time stamp ranging between 06:28 and 07:07. Effectively, if you have shopped for pesto at a Trader Joe’s location in one of the states listed above on or after April 28, you might want to double check the labeling for your safety. 

Furthermore, if you do have the aforementioned pesto in question, a full refund will be honored at Trader Joe’s. As of today, no allergic reactions or illnesses have been reported due to the consumption of the contents of the tubs, and all tubs in question have already been removed from retail locations nationwide. If you have any other questions or concerns in regards to the recall, you can contact Bakkavor USA at (855) 321-7504 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST. 

For those of you who happen to be making a trip back to Trader Joe’s, perhaps consider exchanging your recalled pesto for one of these amazing new grocery items available now, as recommended by a former employee. And before you hit the checkout line, make sure you snag one of these all-time best Trader Joe’s desserts.  

Wondering what other recalls and public health alerts have been issued lately from your favorite brands? Check out this page that’s updated regularly to stay in the know.