Grand Central Bakery Potato Sourdough Recalled for Metal Risk: FDA

A pallet nail turning up inside a loaf of bread has triggered a recall of Potato Sourdough products from Grand Central Bakery, raising concerns about a possible metal-contamination hazard for anyone who purchased the item in the Seattle and Tacoma areas earlier this month.

Grand Central Bakery, based in Seattle, Washington, announced on August 12, 2026 that it is recalling loaves of Potato Sourdough because they may contain pieces of metal. The recall was initiated after a pallet nail was discovered in a loaf of the bread during handling, prompting the company to pull the affected products from circulation as a precaution.

Which Items Are Involved?

Three versions of the Potato Sourdough line are subject to recall. The Potato Market Loaf, sold at 20oz in a paper bag with UPC 733163001576, was distributed to grocery stores. The Potato Table Loaf, also 20oz but sold without packaging, was distributed directly to customers, Grand Central Bakery cafes, and wholesalers. A smaller Mini Potato Loaf, weighing 12oz and also unpackaged, was sold at grocery stores and through wholesalers.

All three products are ready-to-eat perishable breads meant to be consumed at home as-is, with a shelf life of just one day. The recalled loaves were sold on August 10, 2026.

What Triggered the Recall

The company said the recall stems entirely from the discovery of a foreign object: a pallet nail found embedded in one loaf of Potato Sourdough. Metal fragments in bread pose a genuine physical hazard, since they can cause cuts to the mouth or throat, damage to teeth, or more serious internal injury if accidentally swallowed. As of the announcement, no injuries or illnesses had been reported in connection with the issue, but the company moved to recall the affected loaves out of caution.

Where Were These Products Sold?

The recalled bread reached consumers through a network of grocery stores, select restaurants, wholesalers, and four Grand Central Bakery cafe locations across the Seattle and Tacoma metro area. The affected GCB cafes are located in Burien, Eastlake, Wallingford, and Wedgwood.

Grocery retailers that carried the recalled Potato Sourdough include Central Co-op, Fred Meyer, Hilltop Red Apple, Ken’s Markets, Marketime Foods, PCC Markets, QFC, Town & Country Market, Thriftway, Whole Foods Market, and Yakima Fruit Market locations in the region. Because the bread has just a one-day shelf life, the exposure window for consumers is tightly tied to the single sale date of August 10, 2026.

Steps Consumers Should Take

Anyone who bought Potato Market Loaf, Potato Table Loaf, or Mini Potato Loaf Potato Sourdough bread on August 10, 2026 is being told not to eat it. Grand Central Bakery is asking affected customers to dispose of the product rather than attempt to inspect or salvage it.

• Do not consume any Potato Sourdough bread purchased on 8/10/2026
• Throw away the loaf, even if it appears intact
• Contact GCB’s Wholesale Support Team with questions or concerns
• Watch for any mouth, throat, or digestive discomfort after eating the product

Consumers with questions can reach Grand Central Bakery by emailing info@grandcentralbakery.com, through the contact form at grandcentralbakery.com/contact, or by phone at 503-232-0575, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific time.

From the Company

Grand Central Bakery confirmed the action was taken after the pallet nail was found in a loaf of Potato Sourdough Bread, and stated that the recall is being carried out with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA posted the company’s announcement as a public service, noting that it does not endorse either the product or the company involved in a recall notice.

The bakery has not indicated any additional affected products or locations beyond those listed, and it continues to work with regulators as the recall is carried out.