Is there a recall on Ensure drink? A food safety and nutrition guide

According to the U.S. FDA, hundreds of food recalls happen each year, sparking consumer concern and uncertainty. When considering a popular nutritional supplement like Ensure, it's natural to ask, is there a recall on Ensure drink? The definitive answer requires examining recent history and checking trusted government databases for the most current information.

Quick Summary

Examines the history of product recalls involving Abbott and Ensure drinks, detailing specific incidents and the reasons behind them. Guides consumers on how to verify current product safety and outlines the nutritional context of supplements within a balanced diet.

Key Points

• Recent Recalls Occurred in 2024 and 2022: Specific Ensure products were recalled for undeclared milk (Europe, June 2024) and potential microbial contamination (Ensure Harvest for tube feeding, August 2022).

• Not a Widespread Current Recall: There is no current widespread recall affecting all Ensure products globally, but consumers should always verify specific batches.

• How to Verify Product Safety: Check official sources like the U.S. FDA website and FoodSafety.gov by cross-referencing your product's batch and UPC codes with recall notices.

• Recall Reasons Vary: Recalls involving Ensure products have been due to different issues, including undeclared allergens, third-party manufacturer contamination, and bacterial risks.

• Ensure's Role in Nutrition: Ensure can be a useful nutritional supplement, especially for those needing to gain weight or fill dietary gaps, but it is not a replacement for a balanced whole-food diet.

• Recall Source Transparency: Some Ensure-related recalls, like the one in 2022, were initiated by a third-party manufacturer (Lyons Magnus), not Abbott Nutrition directly.

Understanding the Ensure Recall History

Abbott Nutrition's Ensure products are widely used for supplemental nutrition, but they have been involved in past product recalls. These recalls, however, are often specific to certain product batches, types, or manufacturing locations and do not affect the entire product line.

2024 Recall: Undeclared Allergen

One of the most recent and relevant recalls occurred in June 2024, when Abbott voluntarily recalled a specific product in Europe.

• Product: Ensure NutriVigor Plant-Based Almond flavour Nutritional Shake.
• Reason: The recall was due to the presence of milk, which was not declared on the product label.
• Risk: This posed a significant health risk for individuals with a milk allergy or intolerance.

2022 Recall: Third-Party Manufacturer Contamination

A separate, large-scale recall in August 2022, though not initiated by Abbott, included some Ensure products due to a third-party manufacturer's issue. The manufacturer, Lyons Magnus, recalled numerous brands, including Ensure products formulated for tube feeding.

• Affected products: Ensure Harvest for tube feeding.
• Reason: Potential microbial contamination with organisms like Cronobacter sakazakii and Clostridium botulinum.
• Manufacturer: The contamination was linked to the Lyons Magnus manufacturing facility, not Abbott's primary production.

Older Recalls and General Food Safety Concerns

Historically, other recalls have occurred. For example, a 2018 recall affected canned nutritional beverages, including some Ensure Plus products, in Canada due to potential bacterial contamination. More recently, in early 2025, an outbreak of Listeria was linked to frozen supplement shakes produced by Lyons Magnus, which had previously manufactured products for several brands.

How to Check for Current Recalls

Staying informed is the best way to ensure the products you consume are safe. You can check for recalls using several official and reliable sources.

• FDA Website: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website lists current recalls and safety alerts for regulated products. Their 'Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts' page is a primary resource.
• FoodSafety.gov: This is a comprehensive federal government website that consolidates food recall information from various agencies, including the FDA and USDA.
• Manufacturer Website: Abbott Nutrition, the maker of Ensure, maintains its own website with product information and may post recall notices there. Check the specific product page for any alerts.
• Batch and UPC Codes: Recalls are almost always limited to specific lots, so you must verify the batch code and expiration date on your product against the recall notice to see if it is affected.

Ensure's Role in a Balanced Nutrition Diet

Ensure drinks are designed to provide complete, balanced nutrition, offering protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories. While beneficial for some, it's important to understand their place within a broader diet.

How Ensure supplements a diet

1. Addressing Nutritional Gaps: For individuals with poor appetites or difficulty consuming solid food, Ensure can help fill nutritional voids.
2. Supporting Recovery: Healthcare professionals often recommend Ensure for patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery to help rebuild muscle and maintain weight.
3. Boosting Calorie Intake: Ensure Plus, in particular, offers concentrated calories and protein for those needing to gain or maintain a healthy weight.

Potential drawbacks of relying solely on supplements

• High Sugar Content: Some Ensure products contain higher levels of sugar, which can be a concern for those managing blood sugar levels.
• Additives and Processing: As a processed food, it may lack the broader nutritional complexity and fiber of whole foods.
• Not a Replacement for Whole Foods: Supplements are meant to complement, not replace, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Comparison: Ensure vs. Whole Food Sources

Feature	Ensure Nutritional Drink (e.g., Original)	Balanced Whole Food Diet	Who it's For
Nutrient Delivery	Rapid absorption of pre-portioned protein, vitamins, and minerals.	Slower absorption, more complex nutrient profile, includes vital phytochemicals.	Individuals with specific needs (post-surgery, malnutrition), or as a supplement.	Individuals seeking long-term, comprehensive health and disease prevention.
Convenience	Highly convenient, ready-to-drink format.	Requires preparation and planning of meals.	Anyone needing a quick nutritional boost.	Those with time for meal planning and preparation.
Macronutrients	Fixed ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.	Highly customizable based on individual needs and preferences.	Consistent, controlled nutritional intake.	Greater flexibility and control over macronutrient sources.
Fiber Content	Can be low or supplemented, depending on the product.	High in natural, complex dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, and grains.	Those needing low-residue diets.	Optimal for digestive health and overall well-being.

Conclusion

While specific Ensure products have faced recalls in the past, a blanket assumption of a current widespread recall is incorrect. The most recent recalls have been limited in scope, affecting certain product types or specific batches due to issues like undeclared allergens or third-party manufacturer contamination. For consumers, the key takeaway is to remain vigilant and use official government websites like the FDA's recall page to verify the safety of any specific product in question. While nutritional drinks like Ensure can be a valuable part of a diet, particularly for those with specific health needs, they are best used to supplement, not replace, a well-rounded and varied diet of whole foods. Always check product labels and stay informed to make the best decisions for your health and nutrition.

For more information on current food recalls, visit the official U.S. FDA website to search their database(https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a current recall on Ensure products?

As of late 2025, there is no current widespread recall affecting all Ensure products. However, specific product batches have been recalled in the past. Always check the U.S. FDA website or the Abbott Nutrition site for the latest recall notices.

Which Ensure products have been recalled in the past?

Past recalls have affected products like Ensure NutriVigor Plant-Based Almond flavour (for undeclared milk in Europe, June 2024) and Ensure Harvest for tube feeding (for contamination issues in August 2022). It's important to note the specific product and batch details.

How can I check if my specific Ensure product has been recalled?

To check your product, you must find the batch code and expiration date on the packaging. Compare this information against official recall notices posted on websites like FoodSafety.gov or the FDA's website.

Is the 2022 Lyons Magnus recall related to Abbott Nutrition?

The 2022 Lyons Magnus recall was due to contamination at their third-party manufacturing facility. Some Ensure products for tube feeding were included in the recall, but the issue was with the manufacturer, not Abbott's primary production.

What is the difference between a voluntary recall and an FDA-mandated recall?

A voluntary recall is initiated by the manufacturer, like Abbott, who discovers an issue and removes the product from the market. An FDA-mandated recall is ordered by the FDA when a company fails to take action on a product deemed unsafe.

Can I get a refund for a recalled Ensure product?

Yes, if you have a recalled product, you should not consume it. Return it to the point of purchase for a full refund or follow the manufacturer's specific instructions provided in the recall notice.

How do Ensure drinks fit into a healthy diet?

Ensure drinks can supplement a balanced diet, particularly for those with specific health needs or dietary deficiencies. They are not intended to be a complete replacement for a diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables.