Eating is a Risky Habit

I hate this timeline. Why? Because… ME. Our current rate of inflation has forced me to change my life. I’ll give you some examples. I buy used clothes, books, tools, and furniture… My aging dogs vet bills are my biggest expense. I groom them at home, and although my technique has improved, I still feel the need to lie about their appearance to the vet and strangers on walks. “Yeah, my daughter cut her hair.” I also forgo the human spa. My hair is the color it grows, streaked with silver, and the length is what happens when haircuts are scratched off the list of expenses. In addition to cutting my hair, I’ve cut out some vitamins; prescription drugs that are not live or die are not filled. My car is 14 years old, and that is a source of great stress. I do my own home maintenance, unless it requires heavy lifting. No movies. No Starbucks (no hardship there.) I never eat out. I only buy takeout food when my kids visit. And grocery prices are crazy. I think hard about each item before I throw it in the cart: Do I really want that bag of pistachios? No, I’d rather have the $10. Eating, I concede, is necessary, but it is not without risk.

Speaking of food, Elon Musk really is a jackass. Food contamination is on the rise because of DOGE’s significant cuts to FDA funding. We are experiencing a one-two punch: overpriced and contaminated.

So, who else is hungry? How hungry are you? Are you hungry enough to gamble with diarrhea? Hungry enough to spin the wheel on organ failure? Welcome to the new food pyramid: it’s not about nutrition anymore; it’s about odds.

It seems that every day we’re warned of new feculent food items being recalled. I’ve done some internet research (and checked my sources.) This is what I found:

2026 Food Recalls & Safety Alerts

The following specific food products or product categories have been subject to FDA recalls or food-safety alerts in 2026. These are not blanket recalls, that would be too easy. Each recall lists specific products in the category. Consumers need to check the specific brand, package size, lot/batch code and expiration or sell-by date against the official recall notice.

Check the FDA website before throwing food out. Also, check your health insurance coverage and policy deductible, just because.

August 2026

• Frozen blueberries and mixed berries — Certain products recalled/investigated because of possible E. coli O145:H28 contamination.
• Iceberg lettuce — Certain lettuce products linked to a Cyclospora investigation.
• Shell eggs — Certain eggs recalled because of possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The recall includes specific plant codes and Julian dates. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-eggs-july-2026
• Pistachio nut butter — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination. (Who can afford this?)
• Green powder products/supplements — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
• Jalapeño-containing dips, salsa, guacamole and other prepared foods — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Certain soup kits — Recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
• Certain salad dressings — Recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Certain granola products — Recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Certain dog food — A recalled canine food product was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/recalls-withdrawals
• Jalapeño peppers — Certain peppers are involved in an ongoing Salmonella Javiana outbreak investigation and related recalls. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts

June–July 2026

• Pizza/cheese bread products — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Dried or smoked whole herring — Certain products recalled because of a Clostridium botulinum/botulism risk, particularly where fish-processing requirements were not met.
• Requesón and soft ricotta-style cheeses — Certain products recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-soft-cheese-june-2026
• Other cheeses from affected dairy facilities — Multiple varieties, including hard and soft cheeses, were recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
• Powdered infant formula — Certain products recalled because of potential Clostridium botulinum contamination. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks
• Moringa leaf powder and supplements containing moringa — Certain products recalled because of Salmonella contamination. FDA’s investigation involved multiple recalled dietary supplements. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-moringa-leaf-powder-january-2026
• Green superfood capsules — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts

May–June 2026

• Enoki mushrooms — Certain products recalled because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
• Parmesan ranch seasoning and other powdered seasonings — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Cheese and garlic croutons — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Tahina/tahini — Certain products recalled because of Salmonella contamination.
• Specialty beverages — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Green superfood supplements — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Powdered beverage mixes — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Potato chips, pork rinds, snack mixes, flavored popcorn seasonings and cheese/seasoning products — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination, including recalls associated with contaminated powdered milk. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/major-product-recalls
• Sour cream and onion cheese curds — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Pita chips — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Chocolate bars — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Coleslaw products — Certain products recalled because of potential microbial growth/food-safety concerns.
• Kippered herring — Certain products recalled because of potential botulism risk.

January–April 2026

• Peeled garlic — Certain products recalled because of potential botulism risk.
• Raw cheddar cheese — Certain products recalled because of possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks
• Dried croaker/fish products — Certain products recalled because of potential harmful bacterial/toxin risks.
• Salmon products — Certain products recalled because of possible Listeria contamination.
• Cream cheese and tofu spreads — Certain products recalled because of possible Listeria contamination.
• Chicken dog treats — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Yellowfin tuna — Certain products recalled because of potential Clostridium botulinum contamination.
• Organic chia seeds — Certain products recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
• Moringa/green superfood supplements — Multiple products recalled because of Salmonella contamination. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-moringa-leaf-powder-january-2026
• Tamales — Certain products recalled because of potential Listeria contamination.
• Shrimp paste — Certain product(s) recalled because of elevated lead levels.
• Sea moss gel/superfood products — Certain products recalled because of potential conditions allowing Clostridium botulinum/botulism risk.

*This is not a complete list.*

Certain other cheese products — Recalled because of potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

AND THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT! 

The FDA and USDA have apps and widgets, so I guess you can check each item as you shop, because flock Donald Trump.

You can check the FDA website for the latest recalls at FoodSafety.gov.

Let’s take a moment to recognize RFK Jr., the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.