Check Your Pantry: Popular Applesauce Recalled Over Elevated Mold Level

Check your pantry! A popular apple sauce has been recalled after the FDA found elevated levels of mold in the product.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, that the Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce had heightened levels of patulin that exceeded food safety limits.

Patulin is a “naturally occurring substance produced by molds that grow on damaged or bruised apples and may be present in products made from affected fruit,” the FDA announcement stated. “Because patulin levels in this product exceed acceptable limits, the product should not be consumed.”

Exposure to elevated levels of Patulin can result in gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, ulcers, intestinal hemorrhages, and lesions in the duodenum, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. voluntarily pulled the item on Monday, Sept. 14. The apple sauce was packaged in 23-ounce plastic jars with the UPC Code 04119005677. All recalled products have a best-by date of June 16, 2027.

“Customers who purchased the recalled product can return it to the store for an immediate refund or replacement,” said Maureen Gillespie, spokesperson for Wakefern Food Corp, in the announcement.

The mold levels were identified during routine FDA monitoring. Food safety standards limit the amount of patulin permitted in food products to help reduce potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to elevated levels.

The product was available for purchase at Wakefern supermarket banners: ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market. No other products have been affected, and no illnesses have been reported to date.