Recall of Macaroni and Cheese at Aldi

A recall has been issued for over 500,000 packages of macaroni and cheese sold at Aldi stores across the country. The reason for this is that some products may contain undeclared soy lecithin, which could be a problem for those who have soy allergies or sensitivities.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that 58,405 cases of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese are impacted. Each case has nine 20-ounce packages, resulting in a total of 525,645 affected packages.

The macaroni and cheese comes in plastic containers placed in cardboard sleeves.

FDA Classifies Recall

The recall was voluntarily initiated by BEF Foods Inc. on March 23, and the FDA categorized it as a Class II recall on June 10. A Class II recall indicates that using or being exposed to the product may lead to temporary or reversible health effects, though serious health risks are considered unlikely.

Customers are urged not to eat the affected items and to return them to the store for a full refund.

Understanding Lecithin

Lecithin is essentially a collective term for a group of chemicals used by the body to aid in fat transport. You can find it in many foods, like egg yolks, soybeans, wheat germ, peanuts, and even liver. Some people are quite familiar with lecithin if they’ve ever noticed that oil film while using nonstick cooking spray.

Interestingly, lecithin is also available as a supplement, found in forms like capsules, liquids, or granules.

It’s commonly used in the food industry as an additive to create a blend of ingredients, such as in salad dressings. According to Judy Simon, a clinical nutritionist at the University of Washington, soy lecithin helps mix oil and water, giving dressings that smooth texture people often look for.

So, for those who love macaroni and cheese, it’s a good reminder to check what’s in our food and be aware of potential allergens.