It's a comfort food staple, but officials warn eating it could have "serious or life-threatening" health consequences for some.
As families across the country adjust to the flow of a new school year, quick and easy weeknight dinners are a must. Plus, mac and cheese always makes for an extra-appealing meal in the fall, especially if you live in an area that’s recently experienced a hint of cooler temps.
Yet if you tend to stock your pantry at Walmart, Target, or Whole Foods, there’s good reason to pause your meal prep and take a look at your mac and cheese boxes. Announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, Gooder Foods, Inc., a Santa Cruz, CA-based company, has recalled two popular flavors of “Goodles” (short for “Noodles, Gooder,” as the box notes) sold at those popular retailers.
Undisclosed allergens—and a spate of resulting complaints—sparked the FDA’s notice. Specifically, five lots of Vegan Is Believin’ – Plant Based White Cheddar with Spirals were found to contain undisclosed milk, and three lots of Here Comes Truffle – Creamy Truffle Flavored Cheddar and Shells reportedly had undisclosed cashew. As of press time, a total of eight people have had reported allergic reactions to the affected products—six to “Vegan Is Believin’” and two to “Here Comes Truffle.”
According to the nonprofit organization Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), both milk and tree nut allergies, including cashew allergies, are among the most common allergy types in children and adults. In severe cases, both can cause dangerous swelling of the airway and a sudden drop in blood pressure, among other urgent medical concerns. The oversight could spell “serious or life-threatening” implications for consumers, the FDA warns.
The recalled Goodles Vegan is Believin’ – Plant Based White Cheddar with Spirals has a UPC of 850031990074 and came in a 5.25-ounce package. Meanwhile, the Goodles Here Comes Truffle — Creamy Truffle Flavored Cheddar and Shells was packaged in 6-ounce containers with the UPC of 850031990159.
The recalled lots were produced this year between April 7 and April 15, and “distributed nationally to wholesale distributors, retailers, and online” between April 29, 2025 and August 5, 2025. Additional product details, including lot codes and “Best By” dates, can be found at the above FDA link.
Customers can return the products to their place of purchase for a full refund. Additionally, the FDA says anyone concerned about a possible allergic reaction should contact a healthcare provider.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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