TreeHouse Foods, an Illinois-based food processing company, has issued a recall for hundreds of its frozen waffle products due to potential listeria contamination. The company discovered the issue during routine testing at its manufacturing facility. As of now, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the potentially contaminated products.
The recall affects a wide range of waffle brands, including Best Choice, Target’s Good & Gather, and Walmart’s Great Value. These products have been distributed across the United States and Canada. Consumers are advised to check their freezers for any of these products and refer to the product codes listed on the company’s website to identify the affected items.
Listeria is a serious bacterial infection that poses a significant risk to older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Symptoms can include fever, aches, headaches, stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and diarrhea. The incubation period for the bacteria can range from three to 70 days.
The recalled products include a variety of waffle flavors from multiple brands. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for any of these products and to dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
This recall comes on the heels of another major food recall. BrucePac, a large meatpacking company, recently recalled nearly 12 million pounds of meat, some of which was distributed to New York school cafeterias. The USDA is also investigating its handling of Boar’s Head, a brand that recalled more than 7 million pounds of cold cuts in July due to listeria contamination. The Boar’s Head recall resulted in at least 10 deaths and numerous hospitalizations.
TreeHouse Foods has not provided any additional comments on the recall. Consumers are advised to monitor their health and seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms of listeria infection.