Over 136,000 lemon meringue pies recalled by California-based bakery; distributed across 14 states

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on September 5 that Jessie Lord Bakery, LLC, based in Torrance, California, voluntarily recalled 136,252 cases of various lemon meringue pie products distributed across 14 states due to the presence of undeclared Yellow #5 food coloring. In an event detail, the FDA shared that the recalled pies were distributed to retail locations across Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The 8-inch round lemon meringue pies with a net weight of 27 ounces are affected by the recall, including lots 24050-25231 with the "best by" date of February 19, 2027.

Which pies are recalled?

Four different Jessie Lord Bakery lemon meringue pie products are included in the recall. Jessie's lemon meringue pie, item number 31811 1 and UPC 8 85523 31811 1, is the first item. Jessie's sugar-free lemon meringue pie, item code 30811 and UPC 8 85523 30811 2, is part of the second variety.


Another variety of Jessie's lemon meringue pie, item code 08276 and UPC 0 41512 08275 7, is the third recalled product. First Street lemon meringue pie, item code 84232 and UPC 000 41220 84232 2, is the fourth product impacted.

A class II recall

This recall was categorized as a "Class II" recall by the FDA. As per the agency: “Class II recall: a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Risks of yellow #5

Yellow #5, also known as tartrazine, is an artificial food coloring commonly used in processed foods, beverages, and baked goods. While approved by the FDA for general use, federal regulations require manufacturers to clearly list this ingredient on product labels due to its potential to cause adverse reactions in certain individuals.

According to a notice issued in April 2025, the FDA intends to "eliminate" six synthetic dyes "from the food supply" by the end of 2026, including yellow #5. In a study that was published in May 2020 by Wolters Kluwer, Yellow #5 was connected to increased behavioral problems, skin allergies, respiratory symptoms, and digestive issues in kids with ADHD.