Expanded Recall of Frozen Waffles and Toaster Foods Over Listeria Contamination

TreeHouse Foods Inc. announced on Tuesday that the recall of hundreds of frozen waffle products and other toaster foods sold in major U.S. grocery stores has been expanded due to potential contamination with listeria bacteria. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based company confirmed that the recall now includes all products made at a facility in Ontario, Canada, which are sold at retailers such as Albertson’s, Aldi, Dollar General, Kroger, Publix, Target, Walmart, and others.

Products Affected by the Recall

The expanded recall involves frozen items like toaster waffles, Belgian waffles, and pancakes. These products are sold under several brand names, including Walmart’s Great Value and Target’s Good & Gather. Consumers are advised to discard the affected products or return them to the store for a full refund. A detailed list of the recalled products is available on TreeHouse Foods’ official website.

Although no illnesses have been reported, TreeHouse Foods is cooperating with U.S. and Canadian food safety regulators to resolve the issue.

The Discovery of Listeria

TreeHouse Foods initially issued a limited recall on October 18 after routine testing detected listeria at their Brantford, Ontario, facility. Further testing revealed that more production lines at the plant could also be contaminated, prompting the recall’s expansion. Production has been halted, and the company will resume operations only after completing a deep cleaning, sanitation, and other hygiene measures.

The company, which operates 26 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada, emphasized that no other plants were affected by this recall.

The Risks of Listeria Infection

Listeria infections can range from mild symptoms, such as fever and diarrhea, to more severe health issues. The infection is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms may take up to 10 weeks to appear. The CDC estimates that approximately 1,600 people in the U.S. are infected with listeria each year, resulting in about 260 deaths.

Recent Listeria Recalls

This is the third significant U.S. recall involving potential listeria contamination in recent months. In July, Boar’s Head Provision Co. Inc. recalled over 7 million pounds of deli meat after a listeria outbreak caused at least 10 deaths and nearly 50 hospitalizations. Earlier this month, Oregon-based BrucePac recalled nearly 12 million pounds of meat and poultry processed at an Oklahoma plant after routine testing found listeria contamination.

Consumers should stay alert for updates on this recall to avoid potential health risks. Your vigilance can help protect you and your family.