Agency classClass IOur severity:Severe FDA (Food)·F-1360-2020·Announced 2020-09-09

Whole Foods Market Recalls Sliced Cheese for Undeclared Egg Allergen

Whole Foods Market is recalling specific sliced cheese products because they contain undeclared lysozyme from egg whites, posing a risk to individuals with egg allergies.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Food): Class I

Class I is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The agency classified this recall as Class I — a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. On that classification alone this is scored Severe; a score of Critical is reserved for recalls where a death or serious injury was reported. The agency gives the reason as: "Undeclared lysozyme (from egg whites)"

Plain-English summary

Whole Foods Market is recalling approximately 155.48 pounds of two specific cheese products: Whole Foods Market Chimay Grand Cru (PLU 29388800000) and Whole Foods Market Lactalis MIMOLETTE Aged 12 MONTHS (PLU 25704400000). These products were distributed nationwide throughout the United States. The affected items are individual sliced cheese wrapped in plastic wrap with a scale label on top, with sell-by dates until September 11, 2020.

The recall is being issued because the products contain undeclared lysozyme, which is derived from egg whites. Lysozyme is a common allergen for individuals with egg allergies. The presence of this undeclared ingredient creates a risk of allergic reaction for consumers who are sensitive to eggs.

Consumers who have purchased these specific products should check their sell-by dates and PLU codes. If the products match the description and dates listed above, consumers should not consume them. They should return the products to the store of purchase for a refund or contact Whole Foods Market for further instructions.

The recalled product

Product: Whole Foods Market Chimay Grand Cru PLU 29388800000 and Whole Foods Market Lactalis MIMOLETTE Aged 12 MONTHS PLU 25704400000 Individual sliced cheese wrapped in plastic wrap with scale label on top.
Manufacturer: Whole Foods Market
Category: Food — Cheese
Hazard: allergen-egg
undeclared-allergen

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (2)

Sell by dates: until September 11
2020

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 9 recalled by Whole Foods Market under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 9 products in this recall →

Same manufacturer · Whole Foods Market

See all →

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Whole Foods Market Cranberry Biscotti Recalled for Undeclared Pistachios
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Whole Foods Market Recalls Popcorn Chicken Shaker with Sweet Chili
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Whole Foods Recalls Fried Chicken Meals for Potential Undeclared Egg
FDA (Food) · 2020-12-02

Same hazard · allergen egg