One of the big public health warnings out this week has been an announcement by TreeHouse Foods on a voluntary recall for thousands of frozen waffle products sold across big-box chains like Target, Walmart, and Dollar General. The action has been taken due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium capable of causing serious illness, particularly among certain higher-risk populations.
The recall announcement
TreeHouse Foods initiated the recall on October 18, 2024, following routine tests from its manufacturing facility showing a potential listeria contamination problem. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall on October 20. It includes nearly 700 frozen waffle varieties for base contamination. Several store brands have been selling these products, including Target’s Good & Gather, Walmart’s Great Value, and Kroger’s Simple Truth.
The company said there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses related to the recalled products. But they still encourage consumers to check their freezers for any of the listed products and either discard or return them to the point of purchase for credit.
Brands and products involved
The recalls are for more than a dozen varieties of frozen waffles sold at many popular grocery outlets. Some include:
- Target: Good & Gather Homestyle and Buttermilk Waffles
- Walmart: Great Value Homestyle and Blueberry Waffles
- Kroger: Simple Truth Protein Waffles
- Dollar General: Clover Valley brand
Other recalled brands included Kodiak Cakes, Breakfast Best, and Foodhold. For a full list of all the products recalled, and for UPC codes and images of products, visit the FDA website.
Safety by understanding listeria risks
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, especially in pregnant women, newborn babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The timing of symptoms onset after eating contaminated food ranges from a few days to up to several weeks. Common symptoms include the following:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or loss of balance
In pregnant consumers, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. Otherwise healthy adults may experience only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, but for high-risk individuals-the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, and other highly susceptible populations-listeria infections can be lethal within a matter of days.
What consumers should do?
- Check your freezer: Consumers who have bought any of the recalled frozen waffles should check their freezers for any of the recalled products immediately.
- Dispose safely or return: If you find such an item in your possession, dispose safely or return it to the store where purchased for a full refund. If there is any contact with the said products and there is a development of symptoms related to listeriosis, seek medical help.
- Contact TreeHouse Foods: Consumers with questions about the recall may contact TreeHouse Foods at 800-596-2903, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
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