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Walker’s Wine Juice LLC is recalling all lots of its pumpkin juice after a New York inspection found the product’s pH was too high for the company’s hot-fill processing schedule. No illnesses have been reported, but the product may pose a botulism risk and was sold in New York and supplied to commercial wineries in 12 states.
Walker’s Wine Juice LLC is recalling all lots of its pumpkin juice because the product may be contaminated with botulism-causing bacteria, according to a recall report published October 9. New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspectors found the juice’s pH was too high for the company’s hot-fill process, and the company determined that the process did not provide an adequate kill step for possible microbiological hazards. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall covers pumpkin juice sold through Walker’s retail store in Forestville, New York, and juice distributed directly to a limited number of commercial wineries. The reported distribution states are Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The source report does not give distribution dates or identify the wineries.
Consumers and commercial buyers can identify affected product by its packaging: 2.5-gallon bag-in-box packages and 5-gallon hot-pack containers labeled “pumpkin,” as well as 30-, 60- and 275-gallon bulk containers tagged “pumpkin.” All lots in each of those formats are included in the recall, according to the report.
The potential hazard was identified during a state inspection, which found that the juice’s pH did not meet the requirements of Walker’s stated hot-fill schedule. The report says the finding led to a determination that no adequate kill step had been used to address possible microbiological hazards. It does not report laboratory confirmation of botulinum toxin or give details about testing.
Why the Processing Finding Matters
Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. The concern in this recall is tied to a processing failure identified by inspectors, rather than a reported cluster of illnesses: the juice’s pH was too high for the company’s hot-fill schedule, and the process was judged inadequate to address potential microbiological hazards. That makes the recall relevant even though no illnesses have been reported.
Because some product went to commercial wineries as well as a retail store, the recall reaches beyond individual shoppers. Buyers in the listed states may need to identify and isolate affected containers, including large bulk formats. The source report does not specify what wineries should do with juice already used in production, so commercial recipients should follow instructions from Walker’s or relevant food-safety authorities rather than assume the product was not used.
The report lists symptoms that may be associated with botulism, including general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. It also identifies breathing difficulty, weakness in other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the product should seek immediate medical attention, according to the recall notice.
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How Inspectors Identified the Risk
The reported chain of events began with an inspection by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets food inspectors. They found that the pumpkin juice’s pH was too high to be processed under Walker’s “hot fill” schedule. The company then determined that the process had not included an adequate kill step for possible microbiological hazards, prompting the recall.
The source report identifies the affected product by the word “pumpkin” on its packaging or container tags, and states that all lots are included. It does not describe the juice’s ingredients, how it was intended to be consumed, or whether the product was sold to consumers outside Walker’s New York retail store. The confirmed distribution information names direct supply to a limited number of commercial wineries in 12 states.
“The pumpkin juice’s pH was too high to be processed per Walker’s “hot fill” schedule process.”
— Walker’s Wine Juice LLC, as described in the Food Safety News report
Testing and Distribution Details Remain Unknown
The report does not say whether botulinum toxin or the bacteria that can cause botulism was found in the juice. It describes a potential contamination risk based on the processing assessment, not a confirmed contamination result. No illnesses have been reported to date, but the report does not specify how that status was established or whether any investigation is continuing.
Other details are also absent, including the amount of juice distributed, the dates of sale or shipment, the names of the commercial wineries, and whether any product has been recovered. The report does not provide instructions for consumers or businesses on contacting the company, returning or disposing of the product, or handling juice that may already have been used. Those points should not be inferred from the listed packaging and distribution states.
Recall Response and Health Updates
Consumers and commercial buyers should check whether they have a container labeled or tagged “pumpkin” in one of the listed sizes and treat it as part of the recall, since all lots are affected. The source report does not provide a return, disposal or refund procedure; owners should seek handling instructions from Walker’s Wine Juice or relevant food-safety officials.
People who consumed the juice and develop symptoms described in the report should seek immediate medical attention. Further information could clarify testing results, the recall’s reach, product recovery and whether any illnesses are identified. As of the October 9 report, no illnesses had been reported.
Key Questions
Which pumpkin juice is included in the recall?
All lots of Walker’s pumpkin juice in 2.5-gallon bag-in-box and 5-gallon hot-pack packages, plus 30-, 60- and 275-gallon bulk containers tagged “pumpkin,” are included, according to the report.
Where was the juice distributed?
It was sold through Walker’s retail store in Forestville, New York, and supplied directly to a limited number of commercial wineries in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Have any illnesses been reported?
No illnesses had been reported as of the Food Safety News report published October 9, 2026. The recall is based on a potential hazard identified through an inspection and processing assessment.
What symptoms should prompt medical attention?
The report lists weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing difficulty, muscle weakness, abdominal distension and constipation. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the juice should seek immediate medical attention.
Why was the juice recalled?
State inspectors found its pH was too high for Walker’s hot-fill processing schedule. The company determined that the process did not provide an adequate kill step for possible microbiological hazards, creating a botulism risk.
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