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Walker’s Wine Juice LLC is recalling all lots of its pumpkin juice after New York inspectors found its pH was too high for the company’s hot-fill processing schedule. The recall covers several package sizes distributed through a New York retail store and to commercial wineries in 12 states; no illnesses had been reported in the source report.
Walker’s Wine Juice LLC is recalling all lots of its pumpkin juice because the product may pose a botulism risk, after New York State food inspectors found its pH was too high for the company’s hot-fill processing schedule. The juice was sold at the company’s retail store in Forestville, New York, and supplied directly to a limited number of commercial wineries across 12 states; no illnesses had been reported as of the October 9 report.
The recall applies to 2.5-gallon bag-in-box packages and 5-gallon hot-pack containers labeled “pumpkin.” It also covers 30-, 60- and 275-gallon bulk containers tagged “pumpkin.” The report says all lots of these products are subject to the recall; it does not identify a specific lot code or production date.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ food inspectors discovered the concern during an inspection. According to the recall information reported by Food Safety News, the juice’s pH was too high to be processed under Walker’s “hot fill” schedule. The company determined that, as a result, the process had not provided an adequate kill step to address possible microbiological hazards.
Distribution included Walker’s retail store in Forestville and direct shipments to a limited number of commercial wineries in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The report does not say how much product was distributed or identify the wineries. It describes the product as pumpkin juice, but does not provide further information about whether or how it was used by the commercial recipients.
Why the Processing Finding Matters
Botulism is a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. The concern in this recall is not a confirmed illness or a confirmed detection of the botulinum toxin in the juice. Rather, inspectors found that the product’s acidity level did not meet the company’s stated processing schedule, and the report says an adequate step to address possible microbiological hazards was not used. That finding is enough to prompt a recall because the safety of the processing method could not be established for the affected product.
The warning reaches beyond shoppers who bought the juice at the Forestville store. Because Walker’s also supplied a limited number of commercial wineries in multiple states, recipients may include businesses that obtained the juice directly. Anyone who handles or uses a container labeled “pumpkin” in the listed sizes should check whether it came from Walker’s and contact the company or relevant health authorities for current recall instructions. The source report does not specify whether the product was further processed by wineries or sold to consumers in another form.
Symptoms listed in the report include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. It also lists difficulty breathing, weakness in other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation. Anyone experiencing symptoms associated with possible botulism should seek immediate medical attention, as the report advises. The absence of reported illnesses at the time of publication does not establish that every container is safe.
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How Inspectors Identified the Risk
The recall followed an inspection by food inspectors with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Their finding concerned a basic condition of the company’s planned process: the pumpkin juice’s pH was too high for the “hot fill” schedule Walker’s used. According to the report, that meant there was no adequate kill step in the process to address the possibility of microbiological hazards.
The report was published by Food Safety News on October 9, 2026. It identifies Walker’s Wine Juice LLC as a Forestville, New York, company and says the product was distributed through its retail store and to a limited number of commercial wineries. It does not provide a recall announcement date separate from the report’s publication date, nor does it give the number of packages or total volume involved.
Food Safety News reported that the product could be identified by package size and the word “pumpkin,” and that all lots were included. The available information does not provide photographs, UPCs, best-by dates or other identifying details. Buyers and businesses should not assume a product is outside the recall solely because a particular lot number is not listed in the report.
“The pumpkin juice pH was too high to be processed per Walker’s “hot fill” schedule process.”
— Food Safety News report, citing the recall information
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What the Recall Report Leaves Open
The report does not say that botulinum toxin or the bacteria that cause botulism were detected in any container. It identifies a potential contamination risk based on the product’s pH and processing schedule. It also says no illnesses had been reported at the time of publication, but does not provide a later case count or an update on whether that status has changed.
Other details are not included: the total quantity distributed, dates of production or sale, specific customer or winery names, and whether any product remains in commerce. The report does not explain how commercial recipients used the juice, whether they were contacted individually, or what steps consumers should take beyond identifying the affected containers. These points may be clarified in subsequent notices from the company or food-safety authorities.
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Check Containers and Follow Updates
Consumers and commercial buyers should compare any Walker’s product labeled “pumpkin” with the recalled package formats: 2.5-gallon bag-in-box, 5-gallon hot pack, and 30-, 60- or 275-gallon bulk containers. The report says every lot is affected. Anyone who may have the product should avoid using it while seeking current handling and return or disposal instructions from Walker’s or the relevant food-safety agency. Do not taste a product to determine whether it is safe.
Commercial wineries that received direct shipments should check purchasing and inventory records and contact Walker’s for instructions on product in storage or already used. The source report does not specify how to handle products made with the juice, so recipients should seek guidance from the company and appropriate authorities rather than assume those products are covered or cleared.
Readers should watch for further notices from Walker’s and New York food-safety officials for any updated product identifiers, distribution information or health reports. Anyone with possible botulism symptoms should seek immediate medical care and tell clinicians about any potential exposure.
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Key Questions
Which pumpkin juice products are included in the recall?
The report says all lots of Walker’s products labeled “pumpkin” are included: 2.5-gallon bag-in-box packages, 5-gallon hot packs, and 30-, 60- and 275-gallon bulk containers.
Where was the juice distributed?
It was sold through Walker’s retail store in Forestville, New York, and sent directly to a limited number of commercial wineries in 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Has anyone become sick?
No illnesses had been reported in the October 9, 2026, Food Safety News report. That is the status reported at that time; the article does not provide a later update.
Was botulism found in the juice?
The report does not say that botulinum toxin or botulism bacteria were detected. The recall was prompted by a potential risk: inspectors found the juice’s pH was too high for the company’s hot-fill schedule, and the report says the process lacked an adequate kill step for possible microbiological hazards.
What should someone do if they may have consumed the juice?
Do not consume any affected product. The report advises people experiencing symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or difficulty breathing to seek immediate medical attention. Contact health authorities or a medical professional for guidance about a possible exposure.
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