Walker’s Wine Juice Recalls Pumpkin Juice Due to Botulism Risk

Walker’s Wine Juice of Forestville, N.Y., is recalling its pumpkin juice because it may be contaminated with botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning that can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing.

Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

Product was distributed via Walker’s Wine Juice retail store in New York. The juice was also distributed directly by Walker’s to a limited number of commercial wineries in the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Products can be identified as follows:

• 2.5-gallon bag in box and 5-gallon hot pack labeled “pumpkin”
• 30-, 60-, and 275-gallon bulk containers tagged “pumpkin”

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The potential contamination was discovered after an inspection by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors found that the pumpkin juice pH was too high to be processed per Walker’s “hot fill” schedule process. As a result, it was determined that no adequate kill step was used to address the possibility of microbiological hazards.

Consumers are urged to contact Walker’s Wine Juice to determine appropriate disposal of the remaining product and determine other appropriate steps including a calculation of reimbursement.