Various frozen waffle products sold in Canada and the U.S. have been recalled due to possible listeria bacteria contamination at a manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario. TreeHouse Foods, a multinational food-processing company, announced the voluntary recall of hundreds of its frozen waffle products. The affected products include Walmart’s Great Value brand, Metro’s Selection brand, Sobeys Inc.’s Compliments brand, and Loblaws’ No Name brand. There have been no reported illnesses linked to the recalled products. The issue was discovered through routine testing at the manufacturing facility, prompting the company to urge customers to check their freezers and dispose of any affected products.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis can include vomiting, nausea, fever, muscle aches, headache, and neck stiffness. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has not posted a public recall for the frozen waffle products, but TreeHouse Foods has informed the agency. Foods contaminated with listeria may not necessarily look or smell spoiled, making it important for consumers to check for specific UPC, Lot Code, and Best By Date information on the recalled products.
Metro Inc. has recalled the impacted Selection waffles from all of its banner locations, while Sobeys Inc., Walmart Canada, and Loblaws Inc. did not respond to questions about the recall. Several recalls of products due to potential listeria contamination have occurred this year, including a deadly outbreak linked to plant-based milks that resulted in three deaths and 20 hospitalizations. The outbreak was declared over by the Public Health Agency of Canada in October. Additionally, jellied beef tongue contaminated with listeria led to four cases of listeriosis in Ontario earlier this month.
Consumers are advised to check their freezers for the recalled frozen waffle products and dispose of them accordingly. TreeHouse Foods has provided a contact number for customers with questions about the recall. The company can be reached at 800-596-2903, Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST. The recall includes various brands sold at different retailers in Canada, and there have been no reported illnesses associated with the affected products. The discovery of the listeria contamination was made through routine testing at the manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario, prompting the voluntary recall to ensure consumer safety.
The CFIA has been informed of the recall of frozen waffle products due to possible listeria bacteria contamination. Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe infections in vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance of monitoring symptoms and being aware of potential recalls. It is crucial for consumers to check for specific product information on affected items and dispose of them to prevent illness. Metro Inc. has recalled the impacted Selection waffles from its locations, while other retailers have not responded to inquiries about the recall. The recent recalls due to listeria contamination underscore the ongoing importance of food safety measures and vigilance in monitoring for potential health risks.
