Aldi, Walmart, and Other Grocery Stores Recall Frozen Waffles Due to Listeria

Significant food recalls have already occurred in 2024, removing many well-known goods from store shelves, including salad kits and shredded cheese.

TreeHouse Foods has added to this expanding list by voluntarily recalling many frozen waffle products because of possible listeria contamination. The recall is crucial to guarantee consumer safety even if no illnesses have been recorded yet.

The Reasons Behind the Recall

TreeHouse Foods started the recall after regular testing revealed a potential listeria monocytogenes contamination in one of their manufacturing plants. A form of bacterium called listeria may cause significant disease, especially in susceptible populations, including expectant mothers, newborns, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Being extremely cautious, the corporation swiftly recalled the products, ensuring nothing possibly dangerous was left on the market.

Because listeria exposure may cause listeriosis, a dangerous illness that can spread to the nervous system and create life-threatening consequences, it is particularly alarming in extreme circumstances. TreeHouse Foods thought it was better to be cautious than sorry, even though frozen waffles aren’t typically among the food kinds most likely to be affected.

Retailers and Brands Affected

Numerous frozen waffle items offered for sale at major US and Canadian shops are included in the recall. Among the impacted retailers are:

Aldi
Food Lion
Target
Walmart

Several brand names were used to sell the waffles, including Kodiak Cakes, which Costco had previously recalled for unrelated reasons. The recalled goods include several store-brand waffles marketed under several names in addition to one well-known brand.

Customers are urged to check the list of impacted items on the TreeHouse Foods website to see if they have bought frozen waffles from merchants.

This list includes important information such as lot numbers, retail UPC codes, brand names, and best-by dates. To find out if the frozen waffles in your house are included in the recall, carefully review this material.

How to Determine Which Products Are Recalled

You can examine the brand packaging to see if you bought one of the potentially tainted waffles. Customers may immediately determine whether they have any of the recalled waffles in their freezer by using the package photographs that TreeHouse Foods has made available.

Thanks to this visual guidance and the comprehensive list on the business’s website, customers will be well-informed and able to take the necessary action.

Hazards to Health from Listeria Contamination

Although there have been no verified cases of sickness connected to the recalled frozen waffles, people should exercise caution because listeria infection poses a substantial danger to their health. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of listeria can range from minor to severe.

The following are mild signs of a listeria infection:

Nausea
Fever
Diarrhea

These symptoms may go away rapidly in healthy persons, and many people may recover without medical intervention. In more severe situations, though, the infection may spread to the neurological system and result in bacterial meningitis, a potentially fatal illness.

Among the severe symptoms are:

A headache
Stiff Neck
Perplexity
Unbalanced
Convulsions caused by light sensitivity

Serious consequences from listeria are far more likely to occur in persons with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly, newborns, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical illnesses. Particularly, pregnant women should exercise extreme caution since listeria can result in stillbirth, miscarriage, or severe sickness in the fetus.

What to Do If You’ve Acquired Recalled Items

The following precautions should be taken if you recently purchased frozen waffles to keep your family and yourself safe:

Examine the packaging: Verify the brand, lot numbers, and UPCs of the waffles in your freezer against the TreeHouse Foods recall list. Do not eat the items if they are the same as those in the recall.
Return the Product: Return the Product For a complete refund, TreeHouse Foods advises returning recalled products to the retailer where they were bought. Retailers are anticipated to comply with the recall and reimburse customers for the impacted merchandise.
Observe for Symptoms: If you or any family members have eaten the recalled waffles, look for signs of a listeria infection, particularly if you are in a high-risk category. Listeria infections can take time to show symptoms, even if no cases have been documented yet. It’s wise to speak with a healthcare professional if you have any symptoms, especially if they worsen, such as fever, nausea, or diarrhea.

CFIA and FDA Reaction

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are both aware of the recall and are closely collaborating with TreeHouse Foods to monitor it.

Recalls are an essential component of the food safety system because they guarantee that possible health hazards are found and dealt with before they can endanger customers.

The FDA, CFIA, and TreeHouse Foods partnership highlights the value of routine testing and monitoring at food manufacturing facilities and shows a proactive approach to controlling food safety hazards.

TreeHouse Foods has spoken openly, and both government organizations are supervising to guarantee the recall is managed successfully.

Conclusion

The 2024 TreeHouse Foods frozen waffle recall reminds consumers of the significance of food safety and the need for caution. Although no infections have been documented thus far, listeria exposure can have detrimental effects, especially on those more susceptible.

You can safeguard yourself and your loved ones by keeping up with recalls, inspecting your food goods, and taking the proper action if you have bought a recalled item.

After ingesting recalled items, monitor for any symptoms and get medical advice if necessary. Supported by the FDA and CFIA, TreeHouse Foods’ voluntary recall is a crucial step in preventing any potential injury and guaranteeing the safety of frozen waffles for all customers.