The shelves of many grocery stores are undergoing significant changes this week as TreeHouse Foods has expanded its recall of frozen waffles and pancakes due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes. This recall now encompasses hundreds of products sold under various supermarket brands, including Giant Eagle, Kroger, Walmart, Target, and more.
Initially issued on Friday, the recall was expanded on Tuesday to include not just the waffles but also Belgian waffles and all pancake products produced at the affected manufacturing facility. This expansion raises concerns for consumers who rely on these staple breakfast items, particularly during busy mornings.
TreeHouse Foods confirmed the contamination risk was discovered during routine testing at its Brantford, Ontario plant, sparking the recall of products still within their sell-by dates. While the company has stated no illnesses have been confirmed to date, the potential health risks associated with listeria cannot be understated.
Listeria outbreaks can cause serious health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of infection can include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. More severe symptoms, which may manifest up to ten weeks after exposure, can lead to headaches, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
This recent recall affects more than 600 varieties of frozen waffles and more than 30 pancake products. Some of the affected brands include popular store labels like Great Value (Walmart), Good & Gather (Target), Breakfast Best (Aldi), and Kodiak Cakes. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for any of these items and dispose of them immediately or return them to the store for refunds.
TreeHouse Foods has provided detailed information on the recalled products. For each item, they list important identifiers, aiming to make it easier for consumers to determine if they are impacted. Packages from these products will usually have UPC codes and specific best-by dates printed on them for reference.
If you're wondering whether any of your breakfast favorites made the list, here is just some of the numerous products included:
- Breakfast Best: 12.3 oz. Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, and Homestyle Waffles
- Giant Eagle: 11.3 oz. Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles
- Good & Gather: 10.7 oz. Buttermilk Vanilla Waffles
- Great Value: 12.3 oz. Buttermilk Waffles
- Kodiak Cakes: Multiple flavors including Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Buttermilk Waffles
The recalled products were widely distributed across retailers and states, making it imperative for consumers to stay informed. The following major grocery chains have initiated responses to the recall: Kroger, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Aldi, and more, all working to remove the affected items from their shelves.
What To Do if You Have Affected Products
For anyone who finds they have purchased any of the recalled items, the recommendation is clear: discard the products or return them where you bought them for credit. This is the safest route to eliminate any worries about exposure to listeria.
TreeHouse Foods advises consumers to contact their customer service at 1-800-596-2903 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CT, Monday through Friday, for additional questions about specific products or any health concerns.
Given listeria’s potential risk, this expanded recall serves as a serious reminder of the importance of food safety regulations and consumer vigilance. It also highlights the thoroughness of food testing processes, which can seem inconvenient but are vitally necessary for public health.
Consumers should remain attentive to recall notices both online and at their grocery stores and continue to monitor their freezer stocks for any frozen foods. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, having quick breakfast options on hand is great, but safety must always come first. Keep checking back for updates as more information about this recall develops.
Stay safe, check your labels, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the stores or product manufacturers if you have any uncertainties about your food options. It's always worth the time to prevent any potentially serious health issues.