The 2007 Salmonella Scare: The Historical Great Value Recall
The most significant and often-referenced recall involving Great Value peanut butter occurred in early 2007. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated a Salmonella outbreak affecting hundreds of people across dozens of states. The source was traced back to a specific manufacturing facility operated by ConAgra Foods in Sylvester, Georgia, which produced both Peter Pan and Great Value branded peanut butter.
Which Products Were Affected?
The recall applied to all jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with "2111" on the lid. Consumers were advised to discard any of these products, regardless of their expiration date, with the recall expanding to cover products made as far back as October 2004. The FDA later confirmed that the outbreak strain of Salmonella was present in samples of the recalled peanut butter. This was a serious and well-documented event, which is why the misinformation persists to this day.
No Active Recall for Great Value Peanut Butter in 2025
Despite the historical event, it's important to clarify that there is no current or active recall for Great Value peanut butter. The rumors that circulate online, often shared on social media or in forums like Reddit, are based on outdated information. As of October 2025, there are no alerts from the FDA or Walmart concerning a peanut butter recall under the Great Value brand.
It's easy to get confused, especially when other product recalls are in the news. For instance, recent recalls under the Great Value brand have involved items like chicken broth due to packaging issues (January 2025) and certain bakery items due to potential plastic contamination (November 2024), but not peanut butter.
How to Verify a Product Recall
To avoid misinformation and ensure the safety of your food, always check reliable sources. Here’s a simple checklist:
- Check the FDA Website: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a searchable database of all food recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts. This is the most authoritative source for information regarding recalls in the U.S..
- Visit the Company's Recall Page: Large retailers like Walmart often have a dedicated recall section on their corporate website. For Great Value products, this is a direct way to check for up-to-date alerts.
- Look for Official News Releases: Official announcements from regulatory bodies or the company itself will be carried by reputable news outlets like Reuters or USA Today. Be wary of unverified posts on social media or in online forums.
- Check the Product Itself: Recalls are often specific to certain lot codes or "best by" dates. Always inspect the packaging of your product to see if it matches any identifying information in a recall notice.
Recent Recalls for Other Peanut Butter Brands
To put the Great Value rumors into context, it is helpful to look at other, more recent peanut butter recalls involving different brands. These are distinct events and should not be confused with the 2007 Great Value incident.
- Jif Peanut Butter (May 2022): The J.M. Smucker Co. voluntarily recalled certain Jif brand peanut butter products due to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to its Lexington, Kentucky, facility.
- Skippy Peanut Butter (April 2022): Hormel Foods issued a recall for select Skippy products due to a potential contamination with small metal fragments.
- Coles Peanut Butter (June 2025): In Australia, Coles Supermarkets recalled its house brand peanut butter due to higher-than-regulated levels of aflatoxin.
Comparison: Great Value 2007 vs. Jif 2022 Recalls
| Feature | Great Value (2007) | Jif (2022) | 
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ConAgra Foods | J.M. Smucker Co. | 
| Contaminant | Salmonella | Salmonella | 
| Product Scope | Specific batches beginning with code '2111' | Specific lot codes and 'best by' dates | 
| Affected Location | Nationwide U.S. | Nationwide U.S. and Canada | 
| Plant Location | Sylvester, Georgia | Lexington, Kentucky | 
| Brand | Great Value and Peter Pan | Jif | 
| Source Confirmation | Confirmed by FDA testing | Confirmed by FDA/CDC investigation | 
Conclusion: Keeping Up with Food Safety
In conclusion, while the query "is Great Value peanut butter recalled" is a legitimate concern rooted in a real, historical event, the answer today is no. The 2007 recall was a significant food safety event, but it was specific to certain batches manufactured almost two decades ago. For current information, it is always best to consult reliable sources such as the official FDA website or Walmart's own recall page. Staying informed is the best way to ensure the safety of the food in your pantry.
To check the most current FDA recalls, visit their official database here.