Netizens expressed disbelief after hundreds of frozen waffles products sold at multiple grocery stores in United States and Canada, including Walmart, Aldi and Target, were recalled over listeria contamination fears. Their concerns were exacerbated by the recent massive recall of nearly 12 million pounds of meat and poultry products due to similar risks.
In a statement on Friday, October 18, 2024, Illinois-based manufacturer TreeHouse Foods announced more than 500 varieties of frozen waffles were being recalled after they discovered an issue during routine testing at one of their manufacturing facilities in Canada. In a statement, Howard Karesh, a spokesperson for TreeHouse Foods, said:
"This issue was discovered through routine testing at our manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses or injuries linked to the recalled products."
Shortly after the news emerged online, several dismayed social media users took to X to express their concerns. "Good grief, y'all," a social media user exclaimed as the frozen waffle recall arrived on the heels of a recall of nearly 12 million pounds of BrucePac ready-to-eat meat and chicken products over Listeria risk.
Another social media user addedon X:
“Why do so many things have Listeria in them now? How the hell does it end up in frozen waffles???”
A resigned netizen noted:
“Now the dang frozen waffles with listeria? Who wants to go on a farm? I'm tired.”
Several others shared similar reactions.
In July 2024, Boar’s Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli meat over similar concerns.
Listeria meaning explored as Frozen Waffles recalled over contamination risk
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes listeria as bacteria “that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems." It is also the third-leading cause of food poisoning deaths in the U.S.
Since many animals carry the bacteria, Listeria can contaminate foods made from these animals. Contaminated foods like ready-to-eat meats, poultry, seafood, and dairy products processed in unsanitary conditions pose a high risk of carrying the bacteria. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, confusion, stiff neck, loss of balance and convulsions.
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The frozen waffle recall comes a week after BrucePac, a producer of pre-cooked meat and poultry, recalled products on October 9 despite being tested by the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
According to NBC, the contamination stemmed from the items produced from June 19 to October 8, in the Oklahoma-based company’s ready-to-eat chicken products.
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