Widespread Powdered Milk Recall Prompts Retailers To Pull Mac & Cheese From Shelves

AUSTIN, TX — Another round of recalls stemming from Salmonella found in powdered milk used in a variety of products sold by retailers has now affected a perennial favorite, macaroni & cheese, including those sold by the Walmart chain.

TreeHouse Foods Inc. of Oak Brook, Ill. announced the secondary recall on Sunday. Although the notice didn't make mention of an earlier federal seizure of more than 4 million pounds of powdered milk occurring after the regulators found Valley Milk Products LLC officials knew its facility and products were testing positive for Salmonella, the company did voluntarily notified the public of the latest affected products, Food Safety News reported.

Other related recalls do name the Strausburg, Va. milk cooperative, the publication noted.

As a result, Treehouse Foods is recalling macaroni and cheese products, including those sold by Walmart packaged as part of it s Great Value brand. On Saturday, two other such recalls — the Brand Castle LLC recall of In the Mix brand monkey bread mix and the Shearer’s Foods LLC recall of seasoned potato chips and tortilla chips — both cited the the same Salmonella issue stemming from powdered milk ingredients from secondary supplier Valley Milk Products LLC, Food Safety News reported.

The TreeHouse Foods recall involves three different macaroni and cheese dinners and cups distributed nationwide by retailers.

“This follows notification from our supplier that the milk powder used in the seasoning has the potential for Salmonella contamination,” TreeHouse Foods officials said in their recall notice. “No illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers who have purchased any of the above products are urged to dispose of or return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund."

The affected products bear the following label information:

• Big Win Original Macaroni & Cheese Dinner with a UPC number of 001182258403 and a best-by date of 10/25/2017.
• Cheese Club Express Mac Macaroni & Cheese Dinner with a UPC number of 004149817167 and any of the following best-by dates: 11/3/2017; 11/4/2017; 11/18/2017; 11/22/2017; 10/20/2017; 10/21/2017; 10/23/2017; 10/29/2017; 11/1/2017; 11/2/2017; 11/11/2017; 11/16/2017; 11/17/2017; 11/22/2017; 11/23/2017; or 11/28/2017.
• Great Value Macaroni & Cheese Original Cups with a UPC number of 007874208249 and any of the following best-by dates: 10/22/2017; 10/19/2017; 10/27/2017; 10/28/2017; 11/3/2017; 11/7/2017; 11/18/2017; 11/20/2017; or 11/21/2017.

Consumers with any questions should call 800-756-5781, company officials said.

People who have consumed any of the recalled products who develop symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and inform their doctors of potential exposure to the pathogen. The Salmonella bacterium causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, although many of those affected often recover without treatment. But some vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or infants, may develop symptoms so severe that hospitalization is required.

Food Safety News has reported extensively on the repercussions stemming from the affected powdered milk supplier. Among its past news on that front:

• Armed federal agents seize milk products from major cooperative
• Publix recalls mixes; cites powdered milk Salmonella problem
• Stonewall Kitchen recalls mixes for tainted powdered milk

>>> Photos of affected products via TreeHouse Foods recall notice