Sam’s Club faced at least one major product recall every year from 2011 to 2025, raising concerns about food safety practices at the membership warehouse chain.
At a Glance
- From 2011 to 2025, Sam’s Club recalled products including fresh produce, frozen desserts, meal kits, and meats primarily due to Listeria and Salmonella contamination
- Recent recalls include Member’s Mark Hatch Chile Chicken Enchiladas in 2025 and over 11,000 pounds of ready-to-eat deli meats in January 2024
- High-profile recalls affected popular brands including Jif peanut butter in 2022 and Tyson chicken nuggets in 2014
- Listeria causes approximately 1,600 cases and 260 deaths annually in the U.S., making it the third-leading cause of food-borne illness deaths
- Over 80% of Americans express concern about food recalls, with nearly one-third being “very worried”
Recent Food Safety Concerns
The most recent major recall affecting Sam’s Club came in early 2025, when the retailer voluntarily recalled thousands of its Member’s Mark Hatch Chile Chicken Enchiladas due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, indicating potential temporary or medically reversible health effects. This follows a troubling pattern of contamination issues that have plagued the retailer over the past several years, particularly with ready-to-eat products that consumers might not cook thoroughly before consumption.
In January 2024, over 11,000 pounds of ready-to-eat deli meats sold at Sam’s Club were recalled due to Salmonella contamination. That same year, Express Meal Kits containing tzatziki sauce were pulled from shelves for the same reason, while nearly 30,000 cases of frozen cookie dough were recalled over similar contamination concerns. These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining food safety standards across the retailer’s diverse product offerings, which span from fresh produce to prepared meals.
— mBaileyz (@markbaileyz) February 4, 2025
High-Profile Brand Recalls
Some of Sam’s Club’s most significant recalls involved well-known national brands. In 2022, Jif peanut butter was pulled from shelves due to potential Salmonella contamination that led to confirmed illnesses. In 2014, over 75,000 pounds of Tyson-brand chicken nuggets were recalled after plastic fragments were discovered in the products. Sam’s Club, which operates nearly 600 locations across the United States under Walmart’s ownership, has become more proactive in recent years about communicating these safety concerns to its membership base.
The 2023 recall of stone fruits due to Listeria contamination proved particularly serious, resulting in multiple illnesses and at least one reported fatality. That same year, WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches marketed for children were recalled due to elevated lead levels, while two flavors of canned dog food were pulled after Salmonella infections were reported among humans who had handled the products. Other recalls that year included mozzarella sticks with undeclared allergens and frozen macarons containing plastic particles.
Consumer Health Implications
The health risks associated with these recalls vary significantly depending on the contaminant. Listeria monocytogenes, which prompted several Sam’s Club recalls, is particularly dangerous. According to health authorities, it’s the third-leading cause of death from food-borne illnesses in the United States, resulting in approximately 1,600 cases and 260 fatalities annually. The bacteria poses especially serious risks to pregnant women, newborns, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
Consumer awareness about these safety issues remains high, with more than 80% of Americans expressing concern about food recalls. Nearly one-third report being “very worried” about potential contamination in their food products. Sam’s Club, like other retailers, typically offers refunds for recalled items and provides notification to members who purchased affected products. The frequency of recalls has prompted many consumers to pay closer attention to food safety bulletins and product alerts from their preferred retailers.
Long-Standing Pattern of Recalls
The pattern of Sam’s Club recalls stretches back over a decade, revealing consistent challenges with food safety protocols. In 2011, turkey burgers were recalled after being linked to 12 cases of Salmonella poisoning. In 2016, ham products were pulled after rubber pieces were discovered in vacuum-sealed packages. In 2018, over 96,000 pounds of canned chicken were recalled due to hard plastic found in the cans. And in 2021, 26 different muffin products were recalled due to potential Listeria contamination.
While Sam’s Club continues to implement quality control measures, these recurring incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety across complex supply chains. Members value the cost savings and bulk purchasing options available through the retailer but increasingly expect stringent safety protocols to protect their families from potentially dangerous contamination. The membership model also creates unique accountability, as customers pay for the privilege of shopping at these warehouse locations.
