Kraft Singles are a lunchtime staple, the perfect addition to a sandwich with cold cuts or a warm grilled cheese. Because they're so versatile, many of us regularly pick up packs of individually-wrapped slices when we head to the grocery store. But if you bought a package on your last trip, you'll want to double-check your cheese drawer, as Kraft Heinz just issued a recall on over 83,000 cases of its American cheese singles. Read on to find out why products were pulled, and what you should do if they're already in your fridge.
RELATED: Nestlé Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Recalled After Wood Fragments Found Inside.
The recall affects two product varieties.
Kraft HeinzPer a Sept. 19 press release, Kraft Heinz is voluntarily recalling 83,800 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices.
According to the release, the recall includes 16-ounce packages of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a Universal Product Code (UPC) code of 021000615261 and a "Best When Used By" date of Jan. 10, 2024 through Jan. 27, 2024.
Three-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product are also included in the recall. The cartons have a UPC of 021000604913 and a "Best When Used By" date of Jan. 9, 2024 through Jan. 13, 2024, or Jan. 9, 2024 through Jan. 16, 2024.
Recalled products were shipped to a "limited number of customers," per the release, and no additional Kraft processed cheese slices are affected.
RELATED: Doritos Chips Recalled After Major Ingredient Mix-Up, FDA Warns.
Customers complained about plastic stuck to cheese slices.
successo images / ShutterstockProducts were recalled due to an issue with a wrapping machine, which encases the single slices in plastic. According to the release, the issue made it possible for "a thin strip of the individual film [to] remain on the slice after the wrapper has been removed."
According to Kraft Heinz, the remaining film stuck to the slice "could be unpleasant and potentially cause a gagging or choking hazard."
The issue was discovered after customers complained about finding plastic stuck to cheese slices, with six customers reporting that this caused them to choke or gag. Per Kraft Heinz, there have been no reports of injuries or serious health issues connected to recalled products.
RELATED: Coca-Cola Issues Recall Over Dangerous Mislabeling Mistake.
Don't eat these cheese slices if you bought them.
Kraft HeinzThe machine that wrapped recalled products has been repaired and Kraft Heinz "thoroughly inspected" the other machines, the company said.
If you purchased recalled products, don't eat them and instead return them to your place of purchase for an exchange or refund. If you want to check if your product is part of the recall or receive reimbursement, call Kraft Heinz at 1-800-280-8252, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"Kraft Heinz is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards and apologizes for this inconvenience," the release reads.
Other big brands have issued recall notices over the past few months.
ShutterstockKraft Heinz isn't the only big-name brand that recalled a popular product this summer.
Last month, Frito-Lay announced a voluntary recall of some of its Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips. Per a notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the chips were potentially contaminated with two known allergens: undeclared soy and wheat. The recall applied to a "limited number" of chips, but customers with allergies who purchased affected products were instructed not to consume them.
Also in August, Nestlé USA voluntarily recalled 16.5-ounce packages of its Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough "break and bake" bars after it was discovered that products could contain wood fragments.
Coca-Cola Bottling Group United also recalled 177 cases of Coca-Cola Ultimate products in July. According to Food Safety News, the products were pulled after they were shipped in bottles incorrectly labeled as Coca-Cola Ultimate Zero Sugar. Per the notice, those with underlying conditions like diabetes and heart disease could face serious health problems if they drank these products and consumed too much sugar.
