A Minnesota pickle company accidentally distributed over 42,000 jars that were supposed to be destroyed. The FDA classified the Gedney Foods Company pickle recall as Class II after container damage raised contamination concerns across multiple product lines.
Gedney Foods Product, LLC initiated the voluntary recall June 9, 2025, affecting 3,520 cases distributed exclusively to Minnesota retailers. Each case contained 12 jars. The FDA issued its Class II classification July 24, 2025, warning that damaged containers could allow bacterial growth or pose physical injury risks.
Table of Contents
The Distribution Error
The company flagged products for disposal at its manufacturing facility in Mexico. Those jars never should have left the plant.
Somewhere in the supply chain, damaged containers got mixed into regular inventory. They cleared quality checks, got shipped to distribution centers, and landed on store shelves at Target, Cub Foods, Hy-Vee, Rainbow Foods, Kowalski’s, Fareway, and Miners locations throughout Minnesota.
FDA enforcement documents state the products “were slated for disposal due to product and container damage, but were inadvertently sold.”
The company has not explained how the error occurred or what safeguards failed.
Affected Products
Minnesota residents should check for these items:
Whole and Spear Varieties:
- Gedney Whole Pickles, 32 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00151 8) Lot: 4364, 4267
- Gedney Dill Spears, 24 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00196 9)
Mini Munchers:
- Gedney Mini Munchers Kosher Dill, 32 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00171 6) Lot: 4268, 4281, 4309
- Gedney Dill Mini Munchers, 32 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00173 0) Lot: 4264, 4271, 4274, 4278
Dill Babies:
- Gedney Kosher Dill Babies, 32 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00172 3) Lot: 4268, 4285, 4288, 4292, 4296, 4302, 4306
- Gedney Kosher Dill Babies, 32 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00192 1) Lot: 4309
- Gedney Dill Babies, 32 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00184 6) Lot: 4264, 4313
- Gedney Dill Babies, 16 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00191 4) Lot: 44271, 4274, 4278, 4281
Zinger and Specialty:
- Gedney Zinger Chips, 24 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00188 4) Lot: 4218
- Gedney Zingers Dill Babies, 24 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00186 0) Lot: 4269
- Gedney Ghost Pepper LIL Pickles, 24 oz (UPC: 0 41660-00758 9) Lot: 4283
Both the UPC and lot code must match for a product to be part of this recall.
Container Damage Risks
Class II recalls indicate a product may cause temporary health problems, with serious consequences remaining unlikely. The FDA uses three classification levels. Class I represents the highest risk (death or serious injury probable), Class III the lowest (no health impact expected).
Bacterial Contamination
Compromised seals or cracks in jars create pathways for bacteria. Clostridium botulinum poses the greatest concern. This bacterium produces toxins that cause botulism, a form of food poisoning that can be fatal.
Botulism symptoms appear between six hours and two weeks after eating contaminated food:
- Weakness, dizziness
- Double vision, blurred sight
- Trouble swallowing or speaking
- Breathing difficulty
- Muscle weakness throughout the body
- Abdominal swelling, constipation
Medical treatment must begin quickly. Antitoxin therapy works best when administered early.
Physical Injuries
Damaged glass or metal from broken containers can cause cuts in the mouth, choking, or dental injuries.
Consumer Actions
Stop eating recalled products. Container damage may not be visible from the outside.
For Returns: Take jars back to the store with a receipt for a full refund.
For Disposal: Place jars in two sealed bags before throwing them away. This prevents others from retrieving and eating them.
If You Ate Recalled Pickles: Monitor for botulism symptoms. Seek medical care immediately if any appear.
Company Background
Gedney Foods Product, LLC operates from Bloomington and Burnsville, Minnesota. The company manufactures pickles under the Gedney brand and supplies products for Cain’s and Del Monte labels.
The company has not issued public statements about the recall beyond the FDA filing. Media inquiries sent to the company in late July 2025 went unanswered, according to Newsweek.
Regulatory Status
The recall remains active with no closure date announced. FDA records show no reported illnesses connected to the recalled products as of late July 2025.
Minnesota health officials and the FDA continue monitoring for any adverse events. Food manufacturers bear legal responsibility for products they distribute, regardless of where manufacturing occurs.
The FDA posts all recalls to its enforcement database once classified. Not all recalls receive press releases or media coverage, but every monitored recall appears in the weekly enforcement reports.
Food Safety Implications
This recall highlights vulnerabilities in quality control systems. Products designated for destruction should never reach consumers.
Pickles rank among safer preserved foods due to their acidity. Clostridium botulinum cannot grow in environments below pH 4.6. Most pickles have pH levels between 3.0 and 3.5, well within the safe zone under normal conditions.
Container damage changes that calculation. Cracks or seal failures can allow other bacteria to enter or create pockets where oxygen levels drop. Low oxygen environments allow Clostridium botulinum spores to grow and produce toxins.
Minnesota consumers who purchased Gedney pickles between early June and late July 2025 should verify their jars against the recall list. The FDA maintains updated information through its enforcement database, accessible at fda.gov.
