Store Brand Mac And Cheese At Walmart, Aldi, Rite Aid Recalled For Possible Salmonella Contamination

Earlier this month, U.S. Marshals seized more than 4 million pounds of milk products from Valley Milk Products LLC's balancing plant located in Strasburg, Virginia due to positive results after salmonella testing. Now, there is a recall notice for store brand mac and cheese products from retailers such as Walmart, Aldi, and Rite Aid.

On Dec. 11, TreeHouse Foods announced a voluntary recall on mac and cheese products with cheddar cheese seasoning, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration website.

The following products were recalled in the notice:

• (Rite Aid) Big Win Original Macaroni & Cheese Dinner with a UPC number of 001182258403 and a best-by date of 10/25/2017.
• (Aldi) Cheese Club Express Mac Macaroni & Cheese Dinner with a UPC number of 004149817167 and any of the following best-by dates: 11/3/2017; 11/4/2017; 11/18/2017; 11/22/2017; 10/20/2017; 10/21/2017; 10/23/2017; 10/29/2017; 11/1/2017; 11/2/2017; 11/11/2017; 11/16/2017; 11/17/2017; 11/22/2017; 11/23/2017; or 11/28/2017.
• (Walmart) Great Value Macaroni & Cheese Original Cups with a UPC number of 007874208249 and any of the following best-by dates: 10/22/2017; 10/19/2017; 10/27/2017; 10/28/2017; 11/3/2017; 11/7/2017; 11/18/2017; 11/20/2017; or 11/21/2017.

Salmonella is a bacterium that is the culprit of many foodborne illnesses, inducing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The Food and Drug Administration's examination of last September's reports revealed that salmonella residue was found on finished product samples, as well as on processing equipment, according to Food Safety News.

No related illnesses have been reported to date.