Elevated Patulin Prompts Wholesome Pantry Organic Apple Sauce Recall 2026

Apple sauce with patulin levels above acceptable limits should not be eaten, and that is the warning behind a new recall from Wakefern Food Corp. The cooperative has voluntarily recalled select containers of Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce. Routine FDA testing identified elevated patulin levels that exceed food safety limits and do not meet Wakefern’s own quality standards. The company announced the recall on September 14, 2026, and the FDA posted the notice on September 22, 2026.

If you shop at ShopRite or another Wakefern-affiliated supermarket, check your pantry. The recall is narrow, and it is easy to confirm whether you have an affected jar.

Products Affected by This Recall

The recall covers one product: Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce, sold in 23-ounce plastic jars. Every recalled package carries the same best-by date, which is printed on top of the lid.

• Product: Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce
• Package size: 23-ounce plastic jar
• UPC: 04119005677
• Best-by date: June 16, 2027 (printed as 6/16/2027)
• Brand: Wholesome Pantry

Only jars matching these details are included. Wakefern says no other products sold at its supermarkets are affected.

What Triggered the Recall

The problem is patulin, a naturally occurring substance produced by molds that grow on damaged or bruised apples. It can end up in products made from affected fruit. Because the levels found in this apple sauce exceed acceptable limits, the company says the product should not be consumed.

Food safety standards cap the amount of patulin allowed in food because of potential health concerns tied to elevated exposure over time. The issue was found through routine monitoring by the FDA, not through a consumer complaint. No illnesses or injuries linked to the product have been reported.

Where Were These Products Sold?

The recalled apple sauce was distributed through five Wakefern supermarket banners: ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market. The notice does not give a state-by-state list for this product, and it does not state how many jars were involved.

Wakefern is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, founded in 1946. Its independently owned member supermarkets operate in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Shoppers at any of the five banners named above should check their homes for the product.

What Consumers Need to Do Now

• Look at any Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce you have at home and confirm the 23-ounce size.
• Check the lid for the best-by date of 6/16/2027 and match the UPC 04119005677 on the label.
• If your jar matches, do not eat it.
• Return the jar to the store where you bought it for an immediate refund or replacement.
• For questions, call 1-800-ShopRite (1-800-746-7748). Lines are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If your jar has a different best-by date or is a different product, this recall does not apply to it.

What the Company Said

Wakefern spokesperson Maureen Gillespie said, ‘Customers who purchased the recalled product can return it to the store for an immediate refund or replacement.’ The company also asked customers to check the label and best-by date on any product they still have at home.

The FDA posted the announcement as a public service. The agency notes that it does not endorse either the product or the company. Media inquiries can go to Karen O’Shea at (732) 906-5932, and more company information is available at wakefern.com.

This is a voluntary recall announced by the company. It is limited to a single product, one package size and one best-by date. Consumers who are unsure whether they have an affected jar should contact Wakefern or their local store before using it.