Nearly 700 varieties of frozen waffles, including products sold under major retail brands such as Kroger, Target, and Walmart, have been voluntarily recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. TreeHouse Foods, the manufacturer behind the affected items, announced the recall following routine testing at one of their production sites.Fortunately, no illnesses have been reported so far, the company confirmed. The recall impacts frozen waffles distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada, spanning multiple product formats.The affected brands include Kroger’s Simple Truth Protein Waffles, Target’s Good & Gather Homestyle and Buttermilk waffles, and Walmart’s Great Value Homestyle and Blueberry varieties. TreeHouse Foods is urging consumers to verify the lot codes on their frozen waffle packages to identify whether they are affected. Shoppers can discard contaminated products or return them for a refund or store credit.What Makes Listeria Dangerous?
While listeria infections are relatively uncommon, they can be severe, particularly for vulnerable populations. Common symptoms include headaches, fever, nausea, and gastrointestinal distress. However, the bacteria pose a greater risk to infants, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.“Symptoms can range from a mild gastrointestinal issue to life-threatening complications, such as meningitis,” explained Dr. Stuart C. Ray, an infectious disease expert from Johns Hopkins University. The infection’s incubation period can vary, sometimes taking days or weeks for symptoms to develop.Listeria and Its Link to Food Processing
TreeHouse Foods isn’t the only company grappling with listeria-related recalls. Earlier this year, deli meat company Boar’s Head faced serious scrutiny after one of its Virginia facilities was found to contain black mold, dead insects, and dripping water, leading to contaminated food linked to nine deaths. This month, BrucePac, a major meat supplier, pulled over 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products due to listeria risks.Food manufacturing plants are often hotspots for listeria outbreaks due to the bacteria's ability to thrive in cold and damp environments. “It can persist on moist surfaces in food processing facilities, making it hard to eradicate,” said Dr. Ray. The bacteria can also enter the food chain through livestock, even if the animals show no signs of illness.Customers who suspect their frozen waffles are part of the recall should check lot codes and act promptly. Any product found on the recall list should be thrown away or returned to the point of purchase.
While listeria infections are relatively uncommon, they can be severe, particularly for vulnerable populations. Common symptoms include headaches, fever, nausea, and gastrointestinal distress. However, the bacteria pose a greater risk to infants, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.“Symptoms can range from a mild gastrointestinal issue to life-threatening complications, such as meningitis,” explained Dr. Stuart C. Ray, an infectious disease expert from Johns Hopkins University. The infection’s incubation period can vary, sometimes taking days or weeks for symptoms to develop.Listeria and Its Link to Food Processing
TreeHouse Foods isn’t the only company grappling with listeria-related recalls. Earlier this year, deli meat company Boar’s Head faced serious scrutiny after one of its Virginia facilities was found to contain black mold, dead insects, and dripping water, leading to contaminated food linked to nine deaths. This month, BrucePac, a major meat supplier, pulled over 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products due to listeria risks.Food manufacturing plants are often hotspots for listeria outbreaks due to the bacteria's ability to thrive in cold and damp environments. “It can persist on moist surfaces in food processing facilities, making it hard to eradicate,” said Dr. Ray. The bacteria can also enter the food chain through livestock, even if the animals show no signs of illness.Customers who suspect their frozen waffles are part of the recall should check lot codes and act promptly. Any product found on the recall list should be thrown away or returned to the point of purchase.