FDA Issues Warning Over Undeclared Peanuts in Ritz Crackers

In a recent announcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a risk warning regarding certain Ritz peanut butter cracker sandwiches due to the potential presence of undeclared peanuts, a known allergen. This alert is particularly critical for individuals with peanut allergies, who may face serious health risks if they consume these products.

The affected Ritz products were found to be mislabeled, with some packs incorrectly identified as cheese sandwiches rather than peanut butter. However, the outer cartons were correctly labeled, indicating the presence of peanuts. Mondelez Global LLC, the manufacturer of Ritz, initiated a voluntary recall on July 8, following the discovery of this issue.

On July 22, the FDA categorized the recall as a Class II risk, which signifies that consuming the affected products poses a moderate risk to public health. The company has emphasized that individuals with a peanut allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts are at risk for serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions upon consumption of these mislabeled products.

As of now, there have been no reported incidents of illness or injury linked to the consumption of these affected cracker sandwiches. However, it is essential to highlight that allergic reactions to peanuts can vary significantly in severity, ranging from mild symptoms such as hives and swelling of the lips to life-threatening anaphylaxis. According to the Mayo Clinic, peanut allergies are the leading cause of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions related to food.

The recall stemmed from the identification of defects in the film packaging rolls that were used to wrap the individual peanut butter products, attributed to a supplier error. Mondelez Global has confirmed that corrective actions are underway to prevent future occurrences.

The specific Ritz peanut butter cracker sandwiches included in the recall are available in retail stores nationwide and consist of several packaging variations:

• Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches eight-pack: 37,985 cases with UPC 0 44000 88210 5; best-by dates between November 1-9, 2025.
• Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches 20-pack: 24,446 cases with UPC 0 44000 07584 2; best-by dates of November 1-9, 2025, or January 2-22, 2026.
• Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches: 224 cases with UPC 0 44000 07819 5; best-by dates of November 1-9, 2025, or January 2-22, 2026.
• Ritz Filled Cracker Sandwich 20-count variety pack: 13,872 cases with UPC 0 44000 08095 2; best-by dates of November 2-9, 2025.

Consumers are advised not to consume these products if they have a peanut allergy. For further inquiries, the company has provided a contact number: 844-366-1171.

For additional information on peanut allergies, resources are available through the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.