Target shoppers should check their pantries immediately following a substantial recall of the retailer’s store-brand green beans. The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed a Class II recall affecting nearly 197,808 cans of Good & Gather Cut Green Beans due to potential contamination with an unspecified foreign object.
The recall, initially announced on February 12 and later confirmed by the FDA on March 13, affects products distributed to Target locations across 21 states. While classified as a Class II recall — indicating temporary or medically reversible health consequences — consumers are urged to take the situation seriously and verify whether they possess any of the affected products.
What products are affected by the recall?
The recall specifically targets Good & Gather Cut Green Beans manufactured by Del Monte Foods, Inc., a California-based food processing company. Consumers can identify the recalled products through the following detailed information:
Product name: Good & Gather Cut Green Beans Lot number: 7AA 418507 Universal Product Code (UPC): 0 85239-11628 9 Best By Date: 10/28/2026 Size: 14.5 ounces (411 grams)
The extended shelf life of canned vegetables makes this recall particularly important, as consumers may have purchased the affected products recently or months ago. The specified “Best By” date of October 2026 means many households could potentially have these canned green beans stored in their pantries for extended periods without realizing they’ve been recalled.
Where were the recalled green beans distributed?
The recall impacts Target stores across a substantial portion of the United States, affecting 21 states that span coast to coast. Consumers who shop at Target in any of the following states should verify their purchases:
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
This widespread distribution reflects the scale of Target’s national retail presence and underscores the importance of thorough consumer awareness regarding food safety recalls.
Understanding the health risks involved
The FDA has categorized this as a Class II recall, which provides important context about the potential health implications. This classification indicates that while the contamination may cause temporary health problems or medically reversible conditions, the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences remains relatively low.
Though the specific foreign object hasn’t been identified publicly by the FDA or the manufacturer, foreign materials in food products typically present several potential hazards:
Physical injury to the mouth, teeth, or digestive tract Choking hazards, particularly for children, elderly individuals, or those with swallowing difficulties Potential for minor cuts or abrasions inside the mouth Possible tooth damage if the foreign object is particularly hard Risk of secondary infection if injuries occur
Fortunately, as of the recall announcement, no illnesses or injuries had been reported in connection with the affected green beans. However, the absence of reported incidents doesn’t eliminate the need for consumer vigilance.
What causes foreign object contamination in canned vegetables?
While the FDA hasn’t specified the exact nature of the potential contaminant in this case, foreign object contamination in food processing generally occurs through several common pathways:
Manufacturing equipment malfunction or deterioration, introducing metal fragments or machine parts Raw material contamination from the harvesting process, such as small stones or hard plant material Packaging material fragments that accidentally enter the product during the canning process Employee error during inspection or processing stages Failure of detection systems designed to identify non-food materials
The modern food safety system relies on multiple inspection points and quality control measures to prevent such contamination, but occasional failures can occur despite these safeguards. When manufacturers or regulatory agencies identify potential problems, recalls serve as a critical safety measure to protect consumers.
What should consumers do if they purchased the recalled green beans?
While specific return instructions from Target and Del Monte Foods weren’t included in the initial recall announcement, standard food safety protocols recommend the following actions for consumers:
Check your pantry for any cans matching the recalled product description Do not consume the recalled product even if it appears normal Return unopened cans to any Target store for a full refund Dispose of opened cans properly to prevent accidental consumption Keep proof of purchase if available, though most retailers accept returns of recalled products without receipts
For consumers who believe they may have consumed the recalled product and experienced health concerns, consulting with a healthcare provider remains advisable, particularly if symptoms persist or worsen.
The bigger picture of food safety in America
This recall represents just one example of the robust food safety system operating in the United States. The FDA oversees approximately 78 million recalls annually across all regulated products, with food items constituting a significant portion of these actions.
The Class II designation helps consumers contextualize the relative risk, placing this recall in the middle category between Class I (most serious, reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death) and Class III (least serious, unlikely to cause adverse health consequences).
Target’s Good & Gather brand, launched in 2019 as a replacement for the retailer’s previous store brands including Market Pantry and Simply Balanced, encompasses thousands of food items. While recalls affecting store-brand products sometimes raise questions about quality standards compared to national brands, food safety experts note that store brands frequently come from the same manufacturing facilities as their name-brand counterparts.
In this case, the involvement of Del Monte Foods—a major national producer of canned vegetables—illustrates this reality. The same manufacturing processes that produce national brand products often create private label goods for retailers.
Staying informed about food safety
Consumers can take several proactive steps to stay informed about food safety recalls and protect their households:
Register for FDA food safety alerts through email subscriptions Follow Target and other retailers on social media for timely recall announcements Periodically check the FDA’s recall website, particularly for recently purchased items Save receipts for food purchases to verify dates and product information if needed When in doubt about a food item’s safety, follow the principle “when in doubt, throw it out”
The recall of Target’s Good & Gather Cut Green Beans serves as an important reminder of the ongoing vigilance required to maintain food safety. While the risk level remains moderate, informed consumers can take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their families from potential harm.
