62,000+ Cans of Fruit Cocktail and Sliced Pears Recalled for Possible Lead Contamination

By Jenna Anderson

Over 62,000 cans of sliced fruit have been recalled due to potential lead contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pacific Coast Producers initially recalled the canned fruit cocktail and sliced pears—distributed by Wegmans and Walmart—on Sept. 4. On Oct. 10, the FDA gave the recall the second-highest risk level.

Check your fridge and pantry for these items now.

Which Canned Fruit Products Were Recalled?

The following products from Pacific Coast Producers, an agricultural cooperative based in California, are under recall:

Pears Halves in Pear Juice from Concentrate

• Net weight: 15 oz.
• Lot code: 6PJ 09 C2425
• UPC: 077890365410
• Best-if-used-by date: Sept. 1, 2027
• Affected quantity: 44,064 cans (1,836 cases)
• Distributed by: Walmart

Fruit Cocktail in 100% Juice with Added Ingredients

• Net weight: 15 oz.
• Lot code: 6FCB 02 C2206
• UPC: 077890461525
• Best-if-used-by date: Sept. 1, 2027
• Affected quantity: 14,616 cans (609 cases)
• Distributed by: Wegmans

Halved Pears in Pear Juice from Concentrate

• Net weight: 15 oz.
• Lot code: 6PJ 09 C2295
• UPC: 077890747490
• Best-if-used-by date: Sept. 1, 2027
• Affected quantity: 1,224 cans (102 cases)
• Distributed by: Wegmans

Pears Sliced in Organic Pear Juice from Concentrate

• Net weight: 15 oz.
• Lot code: 6OPSJ 04 C2893
• UPC: 077890365410
• Best-if-used-by date: Sept. 1, 2027
• Affected quantity: 2,436 cans (203 cases)
• Distributed by: Wegmans

The recall impacts a total of 62,340 cans of sliced fruit in juice.

Which States Are Affected?

The recalled cans of sliced fruit were distributed in 27 states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Missouri
• Mississippi
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Why Was the Canned Fruit Recalled?

The fruit cocktail and canned pears were pulled from shelves because they may contain a dangerous heavy metal: lead.

According to the FDA, lead is toxic to all humans. Its ability to cause health issues depends on the amount of lead a person is exposed to, how long they’re exposed, and other factors.

However, children are particularly vulnerable—high levels of lead exposure during early childhood can lead to neurological effects, including learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ.

In adults, long-term lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects, per the FDA.

Based on these safety hazards, the FDA gave this canned fruit recall a Class II risk level. This means consuming the affected products “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is “remote.”

What You Should Do

The FDA did not provide specific instructions for this recall. Still, given the Class II risk level, the safest option is not to consume the affected canned fruit, and toss or return the products instead.