October 19, 2024: Large Retailers Withdraw Frozen Waffles over Suspected Listeria monocytogenes Contamination. Walmart, Target, and Several Grocers that Sell Frozen Waffles Also Under Recall Related to Risk of Listeria monocytogenes Contamination; Company Conducts National Voluntary Recall of Specific Products Following Confirmation of Presence of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria During a Period of Routine Testing.

Products Included in Recall
These are popular frozen waffle brands with distinct lots distributed throughout the United States. These were sold in stores and online. Consumers will need to check their freezers for the following:

Risk of Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that causes severe infection in some people: those whose immune systems are weakened, older adults, and pregnant women and newborns.

Some of its manifestations may be found, including the following:
Fever
Painful muscle aches
Nausea or diarrhea
In more serious cases, it can reach the nervous system, affecting an individual, causing headaches, confusion, or even convulsions.
Risk for Pregnant Women: Listeria can cause miscarriage, still birth or premature delivery even if the mother only experiences mild symptoms.

What Should Consumers Do?
Check Your Freezer: If you have purchased frozen waffles in a recent past, inspect the packaging on the affected lot numbers or best-by dates
Do Not Consume: Throw away any affected products or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Medical Counseling If you have consumed the recalled waffles with any of the symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.

Company Response and Future Actions
The manufacturer is in communication with FDA and retailers to understand how this contamination occurred and how it can be prevented in the future. Samples of other products are still under testing.

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