Kraft recalls 83,000 cases of cheese due to potential gagging and choking hazard

In a statement on Tuesday, Kraft Heinz said the company is recalling more than 83,000 cases of individually wrapped Kraft Singles American cheese because of a “temporary issue” that poses a choking hazard.

Kraft Heinz, based in Chicago and Pittsburgh, said one of its wrapping machines accidentally left a thin strip of film remaining on the slices of cheese even after the cheese had been removed from the wrapper. The machine has since been fixed.

“The issue was discovered after we received several consumer complaints about finding the plastic stuck to a slice, including six complaints of consumers saying they choked or gagged in connection with the issue,” Kraft Heinz says in a statement. “No injuries or serious health issues have been reported.”

The recall affects 16-ounce Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 27, 2024. Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a “Best When Used By” date between Jan. 9, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2024.

Also included in the recall are 3-pound multipacks of Kraft Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product with a carton UPC of 0 2100060491 3 and a “Best When Used By” of Jan. 9, 2024 through Jan. 13 and 16 2024.

“Kraft Heinz is committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards and apologizes for this inconvenience,” the company said.

Those who have the recalled cheese shouldn’t eat it and return them to the point of purchase of a refund or exchange. They can also call Kraft Heinz at 1-800-280-8252 to get their money back.