Aldi shoppers might want to give that comfort-food stash a second look. The grocer is recalling more than 500,000 packages of its Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese after the manufacturer alerted regulators that some tubs may contain undeclared soy lecithin, a potential trigger for people with soy allergies. The ready-to-eat side, sold in 20-ounce plastic tubs inside a paperboard sleeve, was available exclusively at Aldi stores nationwide, and federal regulators classified the move as a Class II recall on June 10.
In enforcement records, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists soy lecithin, an additive derived from soybeans, as the unlabeled ingredient at issue, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Class II recall is one where the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." In other words, it is serious enough for regulators to step in, even if it is not the worst category on the FDA scale.
BEF Foods Inc. first kicked off a voluntary recall in March, and the product ships in 20-ounce tubs, nine packages per case, according to reporting by News12 | Brooklyn. That case count works out to more than half a million individual tubs now flagged and removed from Aldi shelves. Retailers are pulling the affected Park St. Deli containers while the recall plays out.
What Shoppers Should Check
If anyone in your household has a soy allergy, skip the taste test. Do not eat Park St. Deli macaroni and cheese that falls under the recall. Instead, return it to Aldi for a refund or throw it out, as advised by consumer reporting. Martha Stewart’s website and other outlets note that stores will accept recalled items even if you no longer have the receipt, which is a small win if you are cleaning out the fridge in a hurry.
Soy Lecithin: Who Is At Risk
Soy lecithin is an emulsifier made from soybeans. Many people with soy allergies tolerate highly refined lecithin because it contains very little soy protein, but rare reactions are documented and can be serious. Medical experts remind patients that symptoms such as hives, throat tightness, wheezing, or trouble breathing call for immediate emergency care, according to guidance from the Cleveland Clinic.
Who Made It And Where It Was Sold
The recalled macaroni and cheese is sold under the Park St. Deli label and was manufactured for Aldi stores nationwide by BEF Foods Inc., according to News12. Stores are using the packaging details, 20-ounce tubs tucked inside a paperboard sleeve, to spot and pull affected inventory as the recall continues.
FDA enforcement records show there have been no reported illnesses linked to the product so far. Anyone who does have an allergic reaction after eating it should seek immediate medical care and can report the incident through FDA channels. Hold on to the product packaging if you need to return it or if medical staff ask for lot numbers or other label information.
For the most current list of affected lots, and for any changes to the recall status, check the FDA enforcement report and posted notices at your local Aldi. Manufacturers and retailers typically update recall and refund instructions as more products are traced and removed from circulation.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}