The History Of America's Biggest Food Recalls Ever

In 2009, over 70 people across 30 U.S. states became ill with the same strain of E. coli due to refrigerated, prepackaged Nestle Toll House cookie dough.

Further investigation revealed that the flour used for the cookie dough was most likely the cause. Nestle ended up recalling 3.6 million packages and now uses pasteurized flour.

In 1996, Odwalla's unpasteurized apple juice was found to be contaminated with E. coli. 13 products made with the juice were recalled after over 65 people fell ill.

The FDA found many health code violations at the company's California plant. Odwalla pled guilty to 16 criminal charges, paid $1.5 million, and started pasteurizing all its juices.

In 2002, ConAgra’s ground beef products were found to be contaminated with E. coli. 46 people got sick, and the USDA ended up recalling 18.6 million pounds of meat.

An audit discovered that the FSIS had cited ConAgra for fecal matter on beef carcasses in the past but had not taken action, and ConAgra continues to struggle with recalls today.

In 2007, three years' worth of peanut butter from ConAgra’s Peter Pan and Great Value brands was recalled in one of the biggest food recalls in Walmart's history.

Over 600 people were poisoned. Company officials claimed that a leaking roof and malfunctioning sprinkler were to blame, and ConAgra agreed to pay $11.2 million in fines.

In 2007, Topps Meat Company recalled over 21 million pounds of ground beef that were infected with a dangerous strain of E. coli. At least 30 people got sick.

The USDA admitted that it took several weeks to announce the recall after the first positive test. Just six days after the expanded recall, Topps Meat closed its doors for good.