Velveeta Recall Issued Due to Risk of Early Spoilage, Illnesses

Velveeta cheese products distributed to certain Wal-Mart stores nationwide are being recalled, due to a lack of preservative additives, which may allow the products to spoil prematurely and potentially lead to food poisoning illnesses.

A Kraft Foods Velveeta recall (PDF) was issued on June 19, following a manufacturer review of recently processed foods.

It was found that about 260 cases of Velveeta distributed to Wal-Mart stores may lack sobric acid, a preservative that was supposed to be added to the food, potentially allowing them to spoil before their expiration dates.

When food spoils, it causes bacteria to grow. This may cause consumers to suffer mild to severe food poisoning if the food is eaten, typically causing stomach virus symptoms within 4-48 hours, including diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting.

The recall includes 32 ounce Kraft Velveeta original pasteurized recipe cheese products. The products were packed with 12 units per case and contain Case UPC code 10021000611611 and Consumer package UPC code 021000611614. Each unit is marked with a “Best Used By” date of December 17, 2014 and time stamped between 9:34 and 13:15 next to the date.

The affected cheese products were manufactured by Kraft Foods and distributed to three Wal-Mart distribution centers where they were shipped to 12 Midwest states. The products were distributed directly to Wal-Mart stores in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Customers should not eat the recalled cheese products and return them to the Wal-Mart store they were purchased from for an exchange or a full refund. Customers may also contact Kraft Foods Consumer Relations at 1-800-310-3704 for further questions concerning the recall.

Photo Courtesy of Clean Wal-Mart via Flickr CC