More than 500,000 packages of macaroni and cheese sold at Aldi stores nationwide are being recalled after regulators warned the product may contain undeclared soy lecithin, a soy-derived ingredient that can pose a risk to people with soy allergies or sensitivities. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 58,405 cases of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese are affected.
Each case holds nine 20-ounce packages, bringing the total number of affected packages to 525,645. The recalled products were packaged in plastic tubs inside paperboard sleeves and were produced by BEF Foods Inc. The voluntary recall was initiated on March 23, and the FDA classified it as a Class II recall on June 10, indicating that exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects, or that the probability of serious health consequences is remote.
Customers are urged not to consume the affected items and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Lecithin is a group of chemicals used to help blend fats in foods, including soy lecithin used to emulsify ingredients such as oil and water, which gives salad dressings a smooth consistency, per experts cited in industry references.
