The Kraft Heinz Company voluntarily recalled about 36,000 cases of Kraft Singles because the packaging posed a choking hazard.

Kraft Singles, a famously fast snack, has been removed from store shelves. But unlike most food safety recalls, the decision was voluntary.

Customers complained that the plastic packaging posed a choking hazard, and The Kraft Heinz Company listened. On July 31, 2015, the third-largest food and beverage company in North America issued a press release notifying the public of a voluntary recall of about 36,000 cases of Kraft Singles.

The Reason For The Recall

A small strip of the plastic packaging may stick to the cheese slice, which is why it’s considered a choking hazard.
Via: Jezebel

Kraft Singles are individually packaged in a coating of thin plastic. When unwrapping the cheese slice, a portion of the plastic wrapper can stick to the product without the customer noticing. An unsuspecting diner could accidentally consume the plastic, which poses a choking hazard.

The Kraft Heinz Company issued the recall after 10 customers complained about the choking hazard. Out of the 10 complaints, three included instances of choking. No deaths were reported.

Which Products Are Included?

American and White American Kraft Singles with a Best When Used By Date of 29 DEC 15 through 04 JAN 16 and the Manufacturing Code S54 or S55 are being recalled.
Via: Community Parade

Four different varieties of Kraft singles are being recalled, including 3 LB Kraft Singles American, 4 LB Kraft Singles American, 3 LB Kraft Singles White American and  4 LB Kraft Singles White American cheese.

The recall is only for products with certain expiration dates and manufacturing codes. It includes items with a Best When Used By Date of 29 DEC 15 through 04 JAN 16, in addition to the Manufacturing Code S54 or S55. These codes designate the two production lines where the malfunctioning product was manufactured.

The recalled products were only shipped to the U.S., Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman. Residents outside of those areas can eat their individual pieces of cheese without fear of choking.

The Kraft Heinz Company Apologizes

The Kraft Heinz Company is the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world.
Via: Time

After Kraft merged with Heinz in March 2015, the company became an even bigger industry  juggernaut. It’s not only a major player in the United States, but it is also the fifth-largest food and beverage company in the world.

The Kraft Heinz Company works to protect its reputation and keep its consumer base intact, issuing frequent recalls to prevent illness, injury and death. 

In September 2014, Kraft issued a national recall of Singles produced in Springfield, MO, because an ingredient stored at the wrong temperature could have caused premature spoilage or food-borne illness. In March 2015, the newly merged company voluntarily recalled 242,000 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese because of they might have contained pieces of metal.

It appears that the company wants to be honest with consumers, offering a full refund to customers who purchased faulty products.

“We deeply regret this situation and apologize to any consumers we have disappointed. Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. They should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund. Consumers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico can also contact Kraft Heinz Consumer Relations for a full refund, at 1-800-432-3101, Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm Eastern,” according to the press release.  

Consumers, now is the time to check out your cheese.

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