When the first FDA notice went out, it seemed like one more routine food-safety alert tucked quietly among daily announcements. But as the details spread across news outlets, health blogs, and community forums, urgency grew fast. The message was unmistakably clear: do not eat these dried apricots, not even one. What began as a single sampling alert in New York has now expanded into a multi-state warning affecting nearly twenty states, millions of shoppers, and countless homes that may still have the product sitting in their pantries without realizing the risks. The FDA’s tone was unusually firm, signaling just how serious the situation has become.
The product in question is Turkana Food Inc.’s Floria Dried Apricots, sold widely across grocery stores, small markets, international food shops, and discount stores. The affected batches all share the same expiration date: November 2026. At a glance, they look like any ordinary bag of dried fruit—bright orange pieces neatly packaged, marketed as a simple, wholesome snack. But hidden behind that familiarity lies the problem: dangerous levels of sulfites, completely undeclared on the label, leaving consumers unable to make informed choices about their health.
To most people, sulfites sound harmless—just another complicated ingredient name tucked into a long list of additives. They are commonly used in wine, dried fruits, condiments, processed potatoes, and many packaged snacks. In fact, sulfites have been used in food preservation for centuries. They prevent browning, extend shelf life, and maintain color and texture. For most individuals, they cause little to no reaction. But for those who are sensitive—or who have asthma—they can trigger symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to life-threatening. The severity varies dramatically from person to person, but the danger lies in unpredictability. Some people discover their sensitivity only after experiencing a frightening reaction.
The FDA emphasized that sulfite sensitivity affects roughly four percent of Americans—around thirteen million people. The risk is especially high among individuals with asthma, as their airways may react sharply to the chemical. Symptoms can appear within minutes: wheezing that grows tighter and more alarming, sudden shortness of breath, coughing fits, chest tightness, swelling of the lips or throat, hives spreading quickly across the skin, or stomach discomfort escalating into cramping and diarrhea. Those with severe allergies may face anaphylaxis, a fast-moving and life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Under federal regulations, any packaged food containing more than ten parts per million of sulfites must declare this clearly on the label. This rule is not optional—it is designed to protect exactly the type of shoppers who depend on transparent labeling to avoid dangerous exposures. But during a routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, inspectors discovered that Turkana Food Inc.’s apricots contained undeclared sulfites. The packaging made no mention of them. For sensitive individuals, consuming these apricots could be disastrous.
What makes this situation particularly alarming is the scale of distribution. The recalled product was sold in at least nineteen states: Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Alabama, Missouri, and California. These states represent a vast section of the U.S. population, spanning multiple regions and demographics. The apricots were found in large chain stores, ethnic supermarkets, independent grocers, and online shelves. Some families bought them in bulk. Some purchased them as healthy snacks for kids. Others added them to lunch boxes, trail mixes, or holiday recipes.
Many households may not even realize they have them tucked away in a cabinet, especially since the product has a long shelf life and the expiration date is more than a year away. That is why the FDA has issued such a strong and clear notice: stop eating them immediately. Do not taste them. Do not try to determine whether they are “bad.” Simply return them to the store of purchase for a refund.
So far, the FDA reports no illnesses linked to the product, which is an encouraging sign. But the agency has made it equally clear that the absence of reported cases does not mean the risk is low. Many allergic reactions go unreported, especially when people assume they are reacting to an environmental allergen or another ingredient entirely. Some consumers may not connect breathing difficulty or swelling to the apricots they ate earlier in the day. That uncertainty is precisely why regulatory agencies attempt to catch issues before harm occurs.
The affected product is simple to identify. At the bottom of the packaging, consumers can find the lot number: 440090478-15-333. At the top, on a small sticker, the UPC label reads 2539560010. Anyone who sees these numbers should read the FDA guidance carefully and follow the recall immediately.
Interestingly, the company behind the product—Turkana Food Inc.—has not yet issued a public statement. No apology, no explanation, no acknowledgment of the recall. That silence has been noticed by consumers, some expressing frustration or concern that the company is not taking the situation seriously. Others wonder whether the labeling omission was a mistake, oversight, cost-cutting decision, or something else entirely. Until Turkana Food Inc. speaks, speculation will continue.
This is far from the first sulfite-related recall. In fact, the FDA’s relationship with sulfites is complicated. Back in 1986, following a string of severe and sometimes deadly allergic reactions, the agency banned the use of sulfites on fresh fruits and vegetables—especially those that would be served raw in restaurants and cafeterias. Too many consumers were falling dangerously ill after eating salads, fresh-cut produce, or prepared fruits that were treated with sulfites to maintain color. Since then, sulfites have been allowed only in preserved foods and only when clearly labeled.
Even with the regulations, issues persist. Earlier this year, Texas Pete recalled its Habanero Buffalo hot sauce after discovering that some bottles were mistakenly filled with Sriracha sauce instead. Why does that matter? The mislabeled bottles contained sulfites that were not declared on the label. The FDA warned that any consumer allergic to sulfites who unknowingly consumed the sauce could experience “serious or life-threatening reactions.” The mistake seemed simple on the surface—two products accidentally swapped—but the consequences could have been devastating.
This latest apricot recall underscores a bigger truth about modern food systems: the chain between production and consumption is long, complex, and vulnerable to human error. Regulations exist because mistakes do happen. And when they do, transparency becomes a matter of safety, not preference.
Stores in the affected states have begun pulling the apricots off their shelves, but recalls often take time to reach every location. Some markets may not yet realize they have the recalled stock. Some small local stores may not monitor FDA notices daily. That means many packages remain in circulation or storage, waiting to be discovered by consumers who may have no idea they are opening a bag of dried fruit containing a hidden allergen.
Because sulfite sensitivity varies widely, even a small amount of the additive can trigger reactions in vulnerable individuals. Some people can tolerate low levels but become symptomatic with anything higher. Others react to any amount, no matter how small. Symptoms often appear quickly but can also develop slowly over hours, masking the connection to the food. Children with asthma, older adults with respiratory issues, and individuals with chronic allergies face the highest risk.
Health care providers often recommend that those with known sulfite sensitivity keep antihistamines and prescribed medications, such as inhalers, readily available. Some doctors advise taking vitamin B12 supplements, believed to help metabolize sulfites more efficiently, though evidence varies. But the best protection remains avoidance—something that becomes nearly impossible when labels are incorrect or incomplete.
The FDA’s recall notice serves as a reminder that food safety relies heavily on vigilance at every level. Consumers can take simple steps to stay informed: regularly checking FDA recall alerts, reading labels carefully, being aware of known allergies or sensitivities, and responding quickly to any unusual symptoms after eating packaged foods. But there is also a shared responsibility among manufacturers, distributors, and inspectors to ensure that products on store shelves are safe and accurately labeled.
For families who already purchased the apricots, the FDA’s guidance is straightforward. Do not consume them. Return them to the store. Dispose of them safely if returning is not possible. Even if no one in the household has a known sulfite allergy, it is not worth the risk of discovering one the hard way. Allergic reactions can develop at any age, sometimes with no previous warnings.
As more information becomes available, consumers may eventually learn whether the issue was limited to a single lot or part of a broader labeling error. For now, the recall stands as a precautionary measure meant to protect public health. No one wants another incident like those that triggered the 1986 ban, when unsuspecting diners experienced severe respiratory distress after eating seemingly harmless fresh produce treated with sulfites. Those incidents shaped modern food-safety laws, and reminders like this recall keep the lessons relevant.
The situation also highlights the value of routine inspections. Without the New York testing program, the undeclared sulfites may have gone entirely unnoticed. Instead, regulators caught the problem early enough to issue a widespread recall before any confirmed illnesses occurred. That is the ideal outcome in food safety—not reacting to tragedy but preventing it.
In the broader context of today’s food industry, transparency, accountability, and rapid communication remain essential. Consumers trust labels to guide their choices. When that trust is broken—even unintentionally—the fallout affects not only individual households but the entire system that connects farms, factories, warehouses, and store shelves.
As shoppers head into their kitchens to check their dried fruit packages, the message resonates clearly: small details matter. One missing line of text on a label—one failure to declare sulfites—can put millions at risk. And one timely recall can prevent countless emergencies.
For now, the focus remains on getting the recalled apricots out of circulation and ensuring that every household becomes aware of the risks. Whether through news stories, social media posts, community alerts, or conversations between friends and neighbors, the warning is spreading quickly. It is a reminder that food safety is not just about headlines—it is about daily habits, awareness, and the ongoing effort to keep families safe.
And as the FDA continues monitoring the situation, one thing remains certain: no illness reported does not mean no danger present. Precaution, not panic, is the key. But precaution requires information. And now that the information is clear, consumers know exactly what they must do. The apricots must go back. The warning must be taken seriously. And awareness must remain high, because in the world of food safety, even small oversights can have enormous consequences.
