It's a mac & cheese-inspired favorite, but a national agency notes one of the ingredients runs an infection risk.
Editor’s note: On Friday, August 8, an in-house representative for Louisa Foods emailed our editorial team to clarify that this recall pertained to 30-pound foodservice cases of Louisa Foods Breaded Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Bites supplied to restaurant and other foodservice accounts, not consumers at retail.
If you’ve been alarmed by the high volume of food recalls this year, some food safety experts have actually commented that these are a good thing—they indicate that the reporting systems we have in place are working to protect the public.
That said, it can be unsettling to observe the multiple channels of food production and consumption that can put you at risk. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration calls attention to another one, as a macaroni and cheese product has been announced as being under recall.
A Thursday morning FDA report indicates that St. Louis-based Louisa Food Products, Inc. is recalling 24,750 pounds of macaroni & cheese bites. Louisa Products’ website states that they supply their refrigerated and frozen pasta products to Walmart locations around the country, as well as to supermarket chains like Kroger, Ralphs in California, and others in multiple regions and retailers.
The reported reason for this recall is: “Supplier recalled ingredient used in finished product for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.” Incidentally, two Boar’s Head-brand cheese products have been recalled in recent weeks for listeria concern. [Editor’s note: On Thursday, we noted it was unclear whether these bear any connection to the Louisa Foods recall. Friday, August 8, a representative for Louisa Foods commented, “There is no connection.”]
It appears the recall was first initiated in mid-July, though to the best of our research, this is the first it has appeared in an FDA report. On August 6 the agency assigned a Class II risk level, indicating what they deem to be “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Product details on this recall include:
- Breaded Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Bites, prepared and packaged by Louisa Food Products, Inc., St. Louis, MO 63136
- 819 cases, at a net weight 30 pounds (lbs.)
- Item # 90935
- Lot code: 2407092
- (01)10077886909359
A representative for the brand stated Friday: “All recalled cases have been located, isolated, and are awaiting proper handling and disposal.”
The FDA notes that the products were distributed in Delaware and Illinois, but it’s unclear whether they were shipped beyond these states. Reviewing lot codes and other product details may help identify problematic product.
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