Hundreds of frozen waffles sold in Canada and the U.S. are being recalled due to potential contamination with Listeria bacteria. The recall was announced by TreeHouse Foods after routine testing at its Brantford, Ontario facility raised concerns.
In a statement on Friday, the company confirmed it voluntarily initiated the recall and has notified both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. food safety regulators. While the CFIA has not yet issued a formal recall advisory, several well-known brands in Canada are affected. These include No Name products sold at Loblaws and No Frills, Walmart's Great Value brand, Metro’s Selection brand, and Compliments products available at Sobeys, Foodland, and FreshCo. A full list of impacted items is available from TreeHouse Foods.
A microscopic image of Listeria monocytogenes bacterium. (Elizabeth White/CDC via The Associated Press)
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, fever, headaches, and diarrhea. In some cases, the illness can be severe, especially for pregnant women, newborns, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeriosis can occasionally be fatal. On average, around 134 cases of invasive listeriosis are reported annually in Canada, as per data from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
TreeHouse Foods emphasized that no illnesses linked to the recalled waffles have been reported so far. Consumers who have purchased any of the affected products are advised to either dispose of them or return them to the store for a refund.
This recall follows a series of similar incidents in the past year. Earlier this summer, the CFIA recalled plant-based beverages from brands like Silk and Great Value after they were tied to a listeriosis outbreak, resulting in 20 illnesses and three deaths in Ontario. Additionally, in October, the CFIA recalled certain beef products following an investigation into foodborne illness outbreaks.