Don’t Let Food Recalls Spoil Your Thanksgiving: What to Know and What to Avoid

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many Americans are in full swing planning menus, shopping for ingredients, and prepping family gatherings. 

But this year, there’s an extra caution flag: a number of food recalls have been issued that could affect your holiday table. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe staying informed is the first step to protecting yourself and your loved ones and enjoying a safe, stress-free holiday.

What’s happening: key recall alerts you should know

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several items have been recalled recently, including some that could appear in Thanksgiving meals.

• On November 24, 2025, a recall was issued for certain packaged items from Boar’s Head (e.g., Chicken Caesar Salad and Wrap, varieties of Pecorino cheeses) due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
• On November 25, 2025, a recall was issued for dried whole salted smelt, mullet, and goby from Mamtakim, Inc. due to the risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination.
• On November 13, 2025, a recall was issued for Member's Mark "Super Greens" moringa leaf powder products that were linked to a Salmonella outbreak.
• On November 18, 2025, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream recalled a batch of its Passion Fruit Dreamsicle ice cream bars because they may contain undeclared allergens like wheat and soy.

These issues matter especially during a large-meal holiday like Thanksgiving, where a lot is going on: shopping, cooking, prepping, and the stakes are high, with risks of illness, compromised gatherings, and legal liability in some cases.

Why staying up to date with recall notices matters for Turkey Day

These recalls aren’t light suggestions, and here’s why you should take them seriously.

Health risks are real. Recalls are not just an inconvenience; they reflect actual risks. For example:

• Listeria infections (from contaminated ready‐to‐eat foods) can be serious, especially for pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
• Allergens, undeclared, can cause severe reactions for people with food sensitivities.
• Foreign objects in food (metal, plastic) can cause choking or injury.

Large meals increase the scope for error. With multiple dishes, stores to visit, and fresh vs. frozen items, it’s easy for a recalled product to slip in unnoticed. That means a higher chance of exposure and a higher chance of blame if something goes wrong.

There are legal and liability implications for food suppliers and even home cooks who serve the food. If you purchase or serve a recalled product (especially in a commercial or semi‐commercial context) and someone is harmed, legal questions can follow. 

What to check this Thanksgiving

To keep your holiday safe and worry-free, here are some specific steps you can take:

Double-check what you’ve bought. Before cooking or serving anything, check the packaging, brand, lot number, and use-by/sell-by dates against the recall list published by regulatory authorities. If something you purchased appears on the recall list, even if it seems fine, throw it out or return it to the store.

Be extra careful with deli meats, ready-to-eat foods, and produce. These categories have been frequently flagged. When buying these items, consider whether they’re necessary, especially if you have high-risk family members.

Keep track of fresh and frozen items. If you buy deli or prepared foods (like the Boar’s Head salad wrap above), make sure you know the brand, date, and any recall alerts. Frozen items or seafood (like the smelt/­mullet/goby recall) may not pop up clearly in your mind when cooking, so double check before serving.

When in doubt, don’t serve it. It’s better to discard questionable items than risk someone’s health or your peace of mind.

Know who’s at risk. For households including older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, young children, or pregnant people, take extra precautions. Avoid recalled items entirely; better safe than sorry.

Keep records and packaging if you suspect a problem. If you or someone becomes ill after eating a dish, having receipts, packaging, photos, or leftover food (if safe) can be crucial in investigating liability or filing a claim.

Stay informed. Check recall notices from federal food-safety agencies and reliable news sources regularly between now and Thanksgiving. Recalls can be announced right up to the holiday.

Contact Morgan & Morgan if a food item causes you harm. Our food recall attorneys can help you hold responsible parties accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Morgan & Morgan can help

Thanksgiving is about togetherness, gratitude, and good food, and the last thing you want is a surprise recall spoiling the celebration. 

By staying alert, checking recalls, and being cautious about what you serve, you can protect your guests and yourself.

But despite our best efforts, some unknown threats may still lurk in the grocery aisles.

If you or a loved one suffers from a foodborne illness, allergic reaction, or injury caused by a contaminated or recalled food product, Morgan & Morgan is here to help your family.

Our legal team can determine whether a claim exists against a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, what evidence is needed to prove harm and liability, and how to protect your rights (including statute of limitations, jurisdiction, and damages).

As the largest personal injury law firm in the country with over 1,000 attorneys and law offices in every state across the nation, we’ve helped countless clients navigate complex food-product liability cases and make sure they are not left bearing the burden alone.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

From all of us at Morgan & Morgan, here’s wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving, full of peace, comfort, and delicious, worry‐free food.