Vanilla and buttermilk-flavored waffles recalled across the Midwest in August have now been given a risk classification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The recalled waffles, made by Utah-based Kodiak Cakes, have recently been classified as a "Class II" recall by the FDA.
A total of 7,300 boxes of the Kodiak Protein-Packed Power Waffles Buttermilk & Vanilla product shipped to Costco locations in the Midwest were voluntarily recalled "due to the potential presence of soft plastic film," Kodiak said in a notice to customers at the time.
A Class II recall is put into place when "a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," according to the FDA.
The recalled waffles are marked with a use-by date of January 10, 2026, a lot code of 24193-WL4, and UPC number 705599019203. According to the FDA, the product had been distributed to Costco branches across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Foreign objects like soft plastic film in food products pose several dangers. Soft plastic can easily become lodged in the throat, especially in children, elderly, or people with swallowing difficulties, leading to choking. Ingesting plastic film can also cause blockages in the gastrointestinal tract.
Some plastics may contain harmful chemicals, such as BPA or phthalates, which could leak into the food, leading to potential long-term health risks like hormonal disruption or other toxic effects. Additionally, the plastic film could carry bacteria or other contaminants that compromise food safety, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Foreign objects being present is one of the leading causes of recalls in the U.S., accounting for 11.6 percent of all recalls between 2020 and 2024, according to the regulatory compliance company Trace One.
"The quality, safety, and integrity of our products is our number one priority at Kodiak. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and appreciate your cooperation in this matter," Kodiak said at the time.
It also said that as of August 26, no injuries had been reported due to the products, and no other products had been affected.
Newsweek previously contacted Kodiak Cakes via email and Costco Wholesale for comment.
Several other food products have been recalled recently, including a dark chocolate gelato dessert recalled for mislabeling, chocolate bars due to packaging not declaring nuts and wheat being present, and macaroni salad because of the presence of foreign material.
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