Mac and Cheese sold at major retailers recalled due to possible perishability

Macaroni and cheese have been recalled in five states over concerns the products may have spoiled during shipping, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week.

Reser's American Classics Macaroni & Cheese and Reser's American Classics Macaroni & Cheese White Cheddar were both part of a larger recall of Reser's Fine Foods deli salads and refrigerated products due to concerns about “temperature abuse” and potential spoilage.

The recalled Reser's American Classics Macaroni & Cheese products have a best-before date of September 14 and 16, 2024. The recalled Reser's American Classics Macaroni & Cheese White Cheddar product has a best-before date of September 11, 2024, according to the FDA.

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Other recalled products include potato salads, potato gratin, pasta salad, corn, egg salad, spinach dip, gravy and desserts.

Macaroni and cheese sold across the United States have been recalled over concerns that the product may have spoiled during shipping. (iStock / iStock)

The products were sold in California, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Stop & Shop and Safeway, which sell Reser's macaroni and cheese products, told FOX Business their stores were not affected by the recall.

Target and Walmart, which also sell the products in the affected states, did not respond to FOX Business' request for comment.

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The possible spoilage was due to a malfunction of the refrigeration unit on a trailer, the FDA said.

All products are designed to be refrigerated, not frozen, according to Reser's Fine Foods' website. The company is based in Beaverton, Oregon.

“As one of the largest family-owned prepared food manufacturers in the country, it may be hard to imagine our humble beginnings in the rural farm kitchen of Mildred and Earl Reser,” Reser's Fine Foods states on its website.

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The two varieties of macaroni and cheese (not pictured) were among the numerous delicatessen salads recalled. (iStock)

The company specializes in ready-made salads and side dishes, but now also sells “baked side dishes, ready meals, salads, tortillas, desserts and comfort food classics,” according to the Reser's Fine Foods website.

The recall began on July 29 and was classified as a “Class II” recall on September 3, according to the FDA.

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A “Class II” recall is defined as “a situation in which use of or exposure to an unlawful product may result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or in which the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” the FDA’s website states.

Both Reser's Fine Foods Original and White Cheddar Macaroni Cheese products (not pictured) have been recalled. (iStock / iStock)

Foods stored at unsafe temperatures are at risk of developing dangerous bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.

In sufficiently high concentrations, these bacteria can cause disease, the agency said.

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“Bacteria multiply most rapidly in the temperature range of 40 to 140 degrees F, doubling their numbers in as little as 20 minutes. This temperature range is often referred to as the 'danger zone,'” the USDA explained.

“Because bacteria are everywhere, even after food is cooked to a safe internal temperature, they can get back into the food and then multiply.”

According to the USDA, food should never be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, and in temperatures above 90 degrees, it should not be left out for more than one hour.

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This even applies to cooked convenience foods such as the recently recalled macaroni and cheese products.

“Bacteria are everywhere, even when food has been cooked to a safe internal temperature, they can get back into the food and then multiply,” the USDA said. “For this reason, leftover food must be placed in shallow containers for rapid cooling and refrigerated within 2 hours.”

FOX Business has reached out to Reser's Fine Foods for comment.