DELAWARE — Throughout the United States, hundreds of frozen waffle products have been recalled due to possible listeria contamination. To check if you should toss your ready-made breakfast, scroll to “Frozen Waffle Brand Recall List.”

Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical contributor for CBS News and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, attributes the rise in food contaminations to an increasingly complex food supply chain. In an appearance on CBS Mornings, Dr. Gounder stated, “At every stage of food processing, there is potential for contamination.” She also noted that the growing consumer demand for ready-to-eat meals heightens the risk of contracting listeria.

What is Listeria?

Listeria infections, caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, occur if an individual consumes food that is contaminated with such bacteria. Common symptoms are headaches, flu-like symptoms, fevers, stiffness or soreness in the neck, and muscle aches. Other, more severe, symptoms include drastic changes in mental status, seizures, and difficulty walking.

“Listeria can cause severe diseases like meningitis, which affects the spinal cord, or sepsis, where the bacteria enters the bloodstream and damages vital organs,” explained Dr. Gounder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to seek medical attention if they experience any of the previous difficulties.

Though food recalls may seem more frequent, they should not be taken lightly. Listeria infections can result in serious illness and, in some cases, be fatal. 

What to do now:

First, check the frozen waffle recall list and dispose of any products in your freezer.

Disinfect any surfaces the recalled food products may have come in contact with. This includes countertops, fridge/freezer shelves, and the surface of toasters or toaster ovens. Heating or cooking the food products will not kill listeria unless it reaches 165°F or is steaming from heat. 

If you contract or suspect you have been infected by listeria, seek medical attention immediately. 

Frozen Waffle Brand Recall List

• 365 Orangic
• Always Save
• BestChoice
• Bettergoods
• Breafast Best
• Brookshire’s
• Central Market
• Clover Valley
• Culinary Tours
• Essentials
• Food Lion
• Foodhold
• Full Circle
• Giant Eagle
• Good & Gather
• Gordon Food Service
• Great Value
• Greenwise
• Hannaford
• Harris Teeter
• H-E-B
• H-E-B Higher Harvest
• Kodiak Cakes
• Kroger
• Krusteaz
• Nature’s Basket
• Nature’s Path Organic 
• Nature’s Promise 
• O Organics
• Pics by Price Chopper
• Private Selection
• Publix
• Schnuks
• SE Grocers
• Signature Select
• Simple Truth
• Simple Truth Organic 
• Tops
• Trader Joe’s 
• Wegmans
• Wild Harvest
• Yelloh

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