Ritz Crackers Recall 2025: Peanut Butter Variety Mislabeled as Cheese

On July 9, 2025, Mondelez Global LLC, the company behind the beloved Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, issued a nationwide voluntary recall after discovering a critical labeling error. The recall affects select cartons of Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches and some variety packs that may be mislabeled as cheese. This poses a serious risk for those with peanut allergies, since the packaging may fail to indicate the presence of peanuts.

Why the Recall Happened 

Labeling Mistake with Inner Wrappers

While the outer cartons correctly warn that the product “contains peanuts,” the individually wrapped packs inside some cartons are incorrectly labeled as "Cheese Cracker Sandwiches." The error stems from a supplier defect in film packaging rolls. Because people with peanut allergies may rely on interior packaging labels, this mix‑up could lead to life‑threatening allergic reactions.

Affected Package Types

What You Should Do Immediately

1. Check your pantry for any of the listed package types.

2. Discard or return any cartons with the specified UPCs and "best by" dates.

3. Contact Mondelez Global at 1‑844‑366‑1171 if you need further assistance.

4. Seek medical care immediately if any allergic reaction occurs after consumption. Symptoms may include hives, throat tightness, vomiting, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Who Is at Risk?

• High Risk: Individuals with peanut allergies, as the interior packs may hide the presence of peanut butter.

• Low/No Risk: Consumers without peanut allergies. The recall is driven by labeling errors, not contamination, so products remain safe for non-allergic individuals.

Corporate Response & Preventive Measures

• Mondelez Global identified the packaging defect and promptly initiated the recall.

• The company states it is implementing corrective actions to prevent future label mismatches.

• The FDA is overseeing this voluntary recall to ensure consumer safety .

Summary of Key Details

• What: Recall of Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches mislabeled as cheese.

• When: Announced on July 8–9, 2025.

• Where: Nationwide in the U.S.

• Why: Packaging error in wrapping film caused inner labels to misidentify the product.

• Health Concern: Potentially life‑threatening for peanut‑allergic consumers.

• Action: Discard or return affected products, call 1‑844‑366‑1171 for more info.

• Status: No illnesses reported to date; recall is precautionary.

Why This Matters

• Allergy Safety: For those with peanut allergies, accurate labeling is non-negotiable. Misleading labels can lead to involuntary consumption of allergens.

• Trust in Brands: Packaging errors like this can influence consumer confidence. Mondelez’s proactive recall helps maintain transparency and trust.

• Industry Standards: This incident underscores how critical it is for manufacturers and suppliers to conduct rigorous quality checks, especially in allergen labeling.

What Consumers Should Check

• Buyers of any Ritz sandwich-type crackers—especially peanut butter or mixed variety packs—should be vigilant.

• Make note of the exact UPC numbers, best-by dates, and plant codes listed above.

• Even if the outer box says “contains peanuts,” mislabeling on inner wrappers means you could still miss the warning.

• Don’t ignore “best-by” or plant-code details—only specific items are affected. Cheese-only boxes or packs outside these parameters are not part of the recall.

Looking Ahead: How to Prevent This in Future

• Proper auditing of packaging film and printing processes on supplier end.

• Layered checks at manufacturing: verifying both outer cartons and inner wrapping.

• Rapid recall protocols so that companies can act before incidents occur.

Conclusion

While there have been no confirmed adverse events related to this issue, the recall is a crucial precaution. If you or someone in your household has a peanut allergy, double-check your pantry today. Accuracy in labeling isn’t just a formality—it’s a lifesaving necessity.

To recap, here's what you should do:

• Inspect your Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches and variety packs.

• Discard or return affected items.

• Call Mondelez at 1‑844‑366‑1171 if you have questions.

• Monitor for any symptoms and seek medical attention as needed.