The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class I hazard classification, the highest level, on Thursday for the recall of 2-pound containers of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix. The product was manufactured by The Quaker Oats Company, a Frito-Lay, Inc. affiliate.
The company initiated the original recall voluntarily on January 14 in response to concerns that the product had gotten contaminated with undeclared milk, potentially causing a severe allergic reaction.
Why It Matters
The FDA defines a Class I recall as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, approximately 2 to 3 percent of children aged 3 and under are allergic to milk.
Around 80% of these people lose their allergy by the age of 16, but some have it for the rest of their lives. If you are allergic to milk, drinking it can trigger anaphylaxis, which the college defines as “a rare, potentially life-threatening reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into shock.”
What To Know
The FDA categorization update states that 10,000 boxes of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix were first recalled. The items were shipped to stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Utah, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Wisconsin.
The recalled pancake and waffle mix’s UPC code is 30000 65040, and the code date is BBD SEP 13 25 P. According to the FDA, the product was available for purchase beginning November 18, 2024. No other Quaker Oats Company or Pearl Milling Company products were affected by the recall.
Separately, numerous canned tuna brands sold at Trader Joe’s, H-E-B, Costco, and Walmart have been recalled due to concerns that they may contain bacteria that causes food poisoning.
The FDA also issued a Class III recall for Keith Valley mustard, marketed by Ben E. Keith Foods in Fort Worth, Texas, and Red Boy mustard, distributed by Clements Foods Company in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Turkana Food Inc., based in New Jersey, recalled 858 cases of Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste due to salmonella contamination concerns.
What People Are Saying
A Quaker Oats Company spokeswoman told Newsweek: “Quaker Oats issued this recall and alerted the public on January 14, 2025, in full cooperation with the FDA, due to undeclared milk in a limited number of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix boxes.”
“More information on the January 14 announcement can be found on the FDA’s website and in our press release. The health and safety of our customers is our top priority.”
What Happens Next
Anyone who has purchased Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix is encouraged to discard it or return it to the point of purchase. The FDA will continue to monitor the product for any adverse health impacts.
