If you’ve recently purchased frozen waffles, it’s time to check your freezer. A large-scale frozen waffle recall has been announced due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can lead to serious health risks. TreeHouse Foods, a major food manufacturer, voluntarily issued the recall on October 18, 2024, after detecting the bacteria during routine testing at one of their facilities.
What You Need to Know About the Waffle Recall
The recall affects nearly 700 varieties of frozen waffles sold across the United States and Canada. These products have been sold at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Publix, and others.
The brands involved include household names like Kodiak Cakes, Walmart’s Great Value, Target’s Good & Gather, and store brands from Food Lion, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, and more. The list of affected products is extensive, covering waffles sold at multiple popular grocery chains.
TreeHouse Foods has provided a complete list of product codes (UPCs) and images to help customers identify whether the waffles in their freezers are affected. To ensure your safety, it is essential to review this list before consuming any recently purchased frozen waffles.
Why the Recall Was Issued
The discovery of Listeria monocytogenes in a processing facility prompted the recall. While no illnesses have been reported, the risk of consuming contaminated products is serious.
Listeria is particularly dangerous to vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. In these groups, Listeria infections can be life-threatening.
The symptoms are typically short-term for healthy individuals but can still be unpleasant. Common symptoms of a Listeria infection include:
- High fever
- Severe headaches
- Stiffness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
If you or anyone in your household has consumed a product from the recall list and experiences any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
Where Were the Recalled Waffles Sold?
The frozen waffles involved in the recall were distributed to multiple stores across the U.S. and Canada, including:
- Walmart
- Target
- Food Lion
- Publix
- H-E-B
- Hannaford
- Harris Teeter
- Tops
- Giant Eagle
- Price Chopper
- And many more
Many of these waffles were sold under store brands, so even if you don’t recognize some big names like Kodiak Cakes, you must check any store-brand frozen waffles you’ve recently purchased.
Steps to Take If You Have Recalled Waffles
If you have waffles in your freezer from any affected stores, wait to eat them until you’ve confirmed whether or not they’re part of the recall.
You can do this by checking the UPCs (the barcode number on the packaging) against the official recall list provided by TreeHouse Foods. Product images have also been made available online to help you identify any affected products.
If you find that you have waffles included in the recall, here’s what you should do:
1. Dispose of them: The simplest option is to throw the waffles away in a sealed garbage bag so no one else can mistakenly consume them.
2. Return them: Many stores offer refunds or store credit for recalled products. You can return the affected waffles to the store where you purchased them to get a refund or exchange.
If you have any questions regarding the recall, TreeHouse Foods has set up a customer service hotline at (800) 596-2903. They are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.
Why Listeria Contamination Is a Serious Concern
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that thrives in cold environments, such as refrigerators and freezers, making it particularly dangerous when found in frozen foods. Once inside the body, Listeria can cause an infection known as listeriosis, leading to severe complications, especially in certain high-risk groups.
High-Risk Groups for Listeria Infection:
- Pregnant women: Pregnant individuals are ten times more likely to get listeriosis. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- Older adults: Those over 65 have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to the illness.
- People with weakened immune systems: Those undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy or living with conditions like HIV/AIDS are at higher risk of severe illness.
The infection is generally less severe in healthy individuals but still causes unpleasant flu-like symptoms. The bacteria can take a few days to a few weeks to incubate after consumption, making it hard to link symptoms to the contaminated food.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Your ISee Medical Advice?
Suppose you’ve eaten frozen waffles and feel unwell, particularly if you experience high fever, nausea, or abdominal pain. See a doctor if you’re pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system.
Inform your doctor if your illness might be related to the recalled waffles. They may decide to perform tests to confirm the presence of Listeria and guide you on the appropriate treatment, which usually involves antibiotics.
Looking Ahead: How to Stay Safe
Food recalls like this can be alarming but essential in ensuring public health. If you ever hear of a recall involving food you’ve purchased, it’s always wise to double-check the details and follow the instructions provided.
For this specific recall, TreeHouse Foods has been transparent in providing product information, and major retailers are working to remove the affected products from their shelves. However, it’s still a good idea to be cautious and check your freezer if you’ve recently bought frozen waffles from any affected stores.
Stay informed by looking for further updates on this recall or others like it. And remember—if in doubt, throw it out.
Conclusion:
This frozen waffle recall is a reminder of the importance of food safety and awareness. While no illnesses have been reported yet, the presence of Listeria in a food product can have serious health consequences.
If you’ve purchased frozen waffles recently from any of the retailers mentioned, take a moment to check whether your product is affected.
Dispose of or return recalled products and contact your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about potential symptoms.
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