Tops Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Tops Friendly Markets recalled Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic on April 1, 2026. A routine inspection found the product held at unsafe temperatures. The recall covers 6 oz. bags marked UPC 71894-00000 or UPC 68826-75340. The bags were sold through Tops Markets stores in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont under UPC codes printed on each package. Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium behind the recall, can cause life-threatening illness in people who eat contaminated food. Anyone with the recalled garlic should not eat it and should return it for a full refund. The FDA notice shows this recall has been completed, and the agency has terminated it.

Latest Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic Recall Updates

April 1, 2026: Tops Recalls Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic over Botulism Risk

On April 1, 2026, Tops Friendly Markets recalled every lot of Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic. An inspection at a Tops store found the garlic held at insufficient temperatures, a condition that can let Clostridium botulinum grow. The recall was made with the knowledge of the FDA, which posted the company’s own announcement [1]. Tops reported no known illnesses connected to the recall.

What Is Botulism?

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves, according to the CDC [2]. The toxin is made by Clostridium botulinum and related bacteria. This is the illness the FDA notice named as the hazard behind the Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic recall, discussed in the sections below.

Which Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic Are Affected?

The recalled Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic, recalled by Tops Friendly Markets of Williamsville, New York, is identified in the FDA notice by the following package size and UPC details:

• Product: Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic, packed in plastic bags
• Package size: 6 oz. bags only
• UPC codes: 71894-00000 and 68826-75340
• Code dates: every product code date sold under either UPC is included
• Units affected: Not published in the FDA notice
• Distribution: Sold at the Tops Markets locations named in the opening above

Shoppers can find the UPC code on the plastic bag’s label, next to the barcode. Garlic without one of these two UPCs is not part of this recall.

Why Was Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic Recalled?

Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic was recalled because a store inspection showed the product was not held at a safe temperature. That condition lets Clostridium botulinum grow and produce a dangerous toxin. The notice explains how the problem was found, a routine store inspection, but it does not say why the garlic fell outside the safe temperature range or how long it stayed there before the inspection caught it. Clostridium botulinum spores can grow in a low-oxygen, low-acid environment and within a certain temperature range. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods like peeled garlic can meet those conditions if they are not kept cold enough.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

The FDA notice states there are no known illnesses reported to date in connection with this recall, as of the notice’s original publish date. A clean incident record for Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic does not rule out the hazard the FDA described: Clostridium botulinum contamination can cause severe illness before a report reaches Tops Friendly Markets, the store, or the FDA. Consumers who believe they became ill after eating this product can report it to Tops Friendly Markets or to the FDA, the two parties named in the recall notice. The notice also does not state how long the garlic was sold before the recall or its price, so there is no way to estimate how many people may have eaten it.

What Should Consumers Do?

Anyone who still has Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic at home should take the following steps before eating or discarding it:

1. Do not eat the recalled garlic, even if it looks or smells completely normal.
2. Check the package for UPC 71894-00000 or UPC 68826-75340 and a 6 oz. size before deciding whether it is affected.
3. Return the recalled garlic to the store of purchase for a full refund.
4. Watch for symptoms of botulism, including trouble breathing or swallowing, and get emergency medical help immediately if any appear.
5. Call Tops Consumer Affairs at 1-800-522-2522 with any questions about the recall or a refund.

Legal Options

A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Consumers who became ill after eating recalled food may still want a lawyer to review the facts of their case. That review can include medical records and store receipts. Schmidt & Clark reviews potential food poisoning lawsuit claims connected to recalled food products, including this recall. A search of the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation‘s pending case list found no lawsuit naming it [3].

Filing Deadlines

A legal claim’s filing deadline comes from state law rather than from this recall. It varies with where the reader lives and when the illness or diagnosis happened. In some states, the filing clock starts running at diagnosis instead of at the date of exposure. A missed deadline can end an otherwise strong claim. No single number of years applies to every state or every case, so anyone who believes they were affected should check with a lawyer promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Symptoms of Botulism?

The symptoms of botulism include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, and difficulty speaking or swallowing, according to the FDA. More serious symptoms include trouble breathing, weakness in other muscles, abdominal distension, and constipation. Without treatment, botulism can also cause paralysis or death, according to the CDC.

What Should I Do If I Already Ate the Recalled Garlic?

If you already ate the recalled garlic and feel fine, the FDA notice reports no known illnesses linked to this recall so far. Watch for symptoms such as double vision or trouble breathing, and follow the steps under “What Should Consumers Do?” if any appear.

Was Christopher Ranch Peeled Garlic Also Recalled?

Yes, the same April 1, 2026 FDA notice also recalled Christopher Ranch Peeled Garlic, 6 oz. bags marked UPC 74574-10852, sold through the same Tops-family stores. Christopher Ranch is a different brand from Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic, and Schmidt & Clark covers that product’s recall on a separate page.

Does This Recall Have an Official Number?

No, this recall does not have a separate official recall or campaign number in the FDA notice. It identifies the product by its UPC codes and package size instead, so check those two identifiers against the garlic in your home.

What Does It Mean That the FDA Posted This Recall Announcement?

The FDA posted this recall announcement as a public service after the recalling company announced the recall itself. Posting the notice does not mean the FDA endorses the product. The company that issued the recall remains responsible for carrying it out.

What Other Conditions Help Clostridium Botulinum Grow?

Other conditions that help Clostridium botulinum grow include a low-salt setting and a certain amount of moisture, according to the CDC. Vacuum-sealed or tightly packaged foods can create these conditions together if they are not stored the way the label directs.

References

1. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tops-issues-recall-christopher-ranch-peeled-garlic-garland-fresh-peeled-garlic-because-possible
2. https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/about/index.html
3. https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/pending-mdls-0