An American cheese manufacturer is recalling more than 80,000 cases of its products because of a possible choking hazard.
Kraft-Heinz announced Tuesday that it was voluntarily recalling 83,800 cases of individually-wrapped Kraft Singles American processed cheese slices after a “temporary issue” with a wrapping machine made it possible for “a thin strip of the individual film may remain on the slice after the wrapper has been removed,” according to a press release from the company.
“If the film sticks to the slice and is not removed, it could be unpleasant and potentially cause a gagging or choking hazard,” the release states.
The company reportedly received several complaints about plastic being stuck to the slices, “including six complaints of consumers saying they choked or gagged in connection with the issue.”
Kraft-Heinz says there have been no reports of injuries or serious health issues.
The machine that caused the issue has reportedly been fixed and “all other processing machines have been thoroughly inspected.”
From the press release:
Consumers who purchased these items should not consume them and can return them to the store where it was purchased for an exchange or refund. Consumers can contact Kraft Heinz from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-280-8252 to see if a product is part of the recall and to receive reimbursement.
Kraft Heinz is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards and apologizes for this inconvenience.
Products included in the recall include 16 oz. Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with an individual package UPC of 0 2100061526 1 and a “Best When Used By” date of 10 JAN 24 through 27 JAN 24. Individual packages in this recall will contain an S and 72 in the Manufacturing code.
Also included in the recall are 3 lb. multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a carton UPC of 0 2100060491 3 and a “Best When Used By” of 09 JAN 2024 through 13 JAN 2024 and 16 JAN 2024.
