A severe national recall has been made for one of the most popular popcorn snacks that may be a potentially life-threatening hazard for millions of Americans who have peanut allergies. Jody’s Inc., a Norfolk, Virginia-based food company, has voluntarily recalled Cabot Creamery Sea Salt Caramel Cheddar Popcorn because it contains undeclared peanuts. Health authorities warn consumers with peanut allergies or sensitivities that consumption of the recalled product subjects them to a severe or potentially life-threatening allergic response. Popcorn made and packaged across the United States is under this recall, with specific identification information that consumers must check in earnest.
What popcorn is being recalled and why?
The recall is on Cabot Creamery Sea Salt Caramel Cheddar Popcorn that is sold in 6-ounce bags. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered the recall on October 17, 2025, when Jody’s Inc. was notified by The Farmer Companies, Inc. that two customers complained about finding peanuts inside the bags of popcorn. Of particular concern was that peanuts were not labeled as an allergen on the package, being a hidden danger to anyone with a peanut allergy.
Peanuts are classified by the FDA as one of the nine major allergens, which also include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. These allergens are capable of inducing anaphylaxis, a rare and sometimes fatal allergic reaction that must be treated immediately by a physician. Hidden allergens in snack foods present a special hazard because those foods are typically consumed in public and fed to other family members, increasing the potential for exposure.
Which Jody’s Inc batches not to feed anyone?
Consumers must look in their pantries immediately for the below listed recalled popcorn details:
- Product name: Cabot Creamery Sea Salt Caramel Cheddar Popcorn
- Size: 6 oz (170 g) bag
- UPC code: 8 50016 94430 6
- Lot number: 2519907B1
- Expiration date: July 15, 2026 (listed as “Best If Enjoyed By: 07 15 26”)
These lot numbers are imprinted on the back of the popcorn bag. Bags with this exact same lot number and expiration date only are recalled. Nevertheless, non-peanut allergy sufferers should remove this product from their homes to protect guests and family members who suffer from sensitivities.
Where was the recalled popcorn distributed?
Jody’s Inc. exported the recalled popcorn on July 23, 2025, from a warehouse in Norfolk, Virginia. The popcorn was initially exported to an Illinois distribution facility, then redistributed to 12 state centers: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas. The popcorn was then exported from these regional centers to retail stores across the nation, so it could be on store shelves or in homes in all 50 states.
The wide coverage highlights the necessity of this recall. This item has been distributed by chain stores and individual dealers in equal proportions, so it is the responsibility of all consumers to inspect their buy regardless of the place they bought it.
What should consumers do if they’ve already bought the recalled popcorn?
If you have purchased Cabot Creamery Sea Salt Caramel Cheddar Popcorn that includes the recalled batch numbers, take these immediate actions:
- Do not consume the product, even if you are not allergic to peanuts. It is too big of a risk to those in your family or social group.
- Return the popcorn to the store where you purchased it and request a full refund, or properly dispose of it by placing it in an impermeable bag in your trash can so that no one will unknowingly eat it.
Call Jody’s Inc. with questions or concerns by contacting Jody M. Wagner at 757-422-8646, ext. 103, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. You can also reach Cabot Creamery’s customer service department at [email protected] or 1-888-792-2268 between business hours.
Have there been any reported illnesses?
As of the date of this writing, October 21, 2025, there have been no reported illnesses or allergic reactions related to this recalled popcorn. But the FDA and Jody’s Inc. are taking this recall very seriously due to the seriousness of peanut allergies. Peanut allergies can cause a range of symptoms ranging from hives and gastrointestinal distress to anaphylaxis, such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, extreme drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis is deadly if not immediately treated with epinephrine.
How did the contamination happen?
The origin of the cross-contamination of peanuts has not been publicly disclosed. As stated by Jody Wagner, president of Jody’s Inc., it was “a one-time incident which impacted a small fraction of the production run.” Although it tainted a small portion, the company recalled the entire lot as a preventive measure to ensure consumer safety. The origin of the cross-contamination is under investigation.
Cabot Creamery ensured that Jody’s Inc. made the popcorn under a licensing agreement and not in any plant of Cabot Creamery. There is no other Cabot product involved in the recall.
