Walmart and Target Recall Frozen Waffles Due to Listeria—Check Your Kitchen Now

Many frozen waffle brands distributed by TreeHouse Foods have been recalled due to listeria contamination at various major retailers across the United States and Canada. Walmart’s Great Value, Target’s Good & Gather and Kodiak Power Waffles are among the frozen products recalled. We have more on the recall, including what you should do if you have these products in your home, below.  

What you should know about the 2024 frozen waffle recall

The FDA and Oak Brook III confirmed the frozen waffle recall on October 18, 2024, due to potential listeria contamination. 

In a press release, both organizations claimed  that “TreeHouse Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain frozen waffle products due to the potential [of them being] contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.” They then went on to say that the “issue was discovered through routine testing at the manufacturing facility.”

You can check if you have any of the affected frozen waffles by looking for the universal product codes (UPCs), lot codes and best-by dates on the back of the cartons and crosschecking them with company-issued recall documents here and here. 

If your frozen waffles are being recalled, the FDA recommends that you “dispose of them or return the recalled product to the place of purchase for credit.” You can also call the company with any additional questions, comments or concerns at 800-596-2903. 

No illnesses have been reported so far, according to the FDA and Oak Brook III. 

Understanding listeria: why the frozen waffle recall matters

The frozen waffles were recalled because of listeria contamination, but what exactly is that? 

“Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems,” reads the press release issued by both Oak Brook III and the FDA. “Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.” 

They also warn that “Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.” 

Listeria can generally be treated with antibiotics, but various medical clinics across the country believe that prevention is the best approach to fighting this bacterial infection. 

Cleveland Clinic recommends doing the following to help avoid a listeria outbreak in your home:

• Ensure dairy and juices are pasteurized.
• Wash your hands and sanitize surfaces before cooking.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables under running water and scrub them with a scrub brush. 
• Cook eggs, seafood, deli meats and hot dogs to 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). 
• Heat your leftovers until they are steaming hot, and don’t eat them if they are a few days old. 
• Fully cover leftovers before storing them in the fridge. 
• Clean up spills in your fridge right away. 

If you’ve eaten a food item recalled because of a listeria outbreak, the Cleveland Clinic recommends contacting your primary care physician as soon as possible.