A popular refrigerated macaroni and cheese sold across the country has been pulled from shelves, and shoppers are being urged to check their fridges.
More than 500,000 packages of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese have been recalled nationwide because the product may contain an undeclared soy ingredient.
The recall involves macaroni and cheese made by Ohio-based BEF Foods Inc. and sold exclusively at Aldi. The ready-to-eat side dish comes in a 20-ounce refrigerated container and is made with cheddar cheese, American cheese, pasta, and other ingredients.
The issue is that some packages may contain soy lecithin, a plant-based food additive derived from soybeans. That can be a serious problem for people with soy allergies or sensitivities.
On June 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified the ongoing voluntary recall as a Class II risk. That means the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health issues if consumed.
The macaroni and cheese had originally been recalled on March 23 before the FDA issued its updated classification.
According to the FDA, the recall affects 58,405 cases, totaling 525,645 individual packages.
Shoppers who recently bought Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese from Aldi should check the product code information listed by the FDA to see if their container is included in the recall.
The recall is the latest food safety warning involving a cheesy pasta product.
Earlier this month, Alfredo sauce made by The Coffee Connexion Co. Inc. was given the FDA’s highest-risk recall classification in 41 states because of possible Salmonella contamination. That recall was linked to dry milk powder that had been recalled by the supplier.
Unlike the Aldi macaroni and cheese recall, the Alfredo sauce recall was classified as Class I, which means there is a reasonable chance the product could cause serious health consequences or death.
For now, Aldi shoppers are being told to take a close look at their refrigerators and avoid eating any recalled Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese if they have a soy allergy or are unsure whether their package is affected.
