Kraft Singles Recalled For Packaging Problem

(RTTNews) - Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC) has voluntarily recalled about 36,000 cases of Kraft Singles cheese, citing potential choking hazard. However, the choking hazard is not related to the cheese slices, but to the packaging.

Kraft Heinz noted that a thin strip of the individual packaging film surrounding the Kraft Singles American and White American pasteurized prepared cheese may remain adhered to the cheese after the wrapper has been removed. If the film sticks to the slice and is not removed, it could potentially cause a choking hazard.

Kraft Heinz said that to date, there have been 10 consumer complaints about the packaging, including three reports of consumer choking.

"We deeply regret this situation and apologize to any consumers we have disappointed" the company said.

The recall applies to 3-pound and 4-pound sizes of Kraft Singles American and White American pasteurized prepared cheese product with a Best When Used By Date of December 29, 2015 through January 4, 2016, followed by the Manufacturing Code S54 or S55.

The S54 and S55 codes refer to the two production lines on which the impacted product was made. The Best When Used By Date and Manufacturing Code are stamped on both the larger 3-pound and 4-pound boxes and the enclosed individual 1-pound packages.

Kraft Heinz noted that no other sizes, varieties or code dates are included in the recall. The company also said that no products with manufacturing codes other than "S54" and "S55" after the code date are included in this recall.

The company said that about 36,000 cases of the recalled product were shipped by Kraft Heinz to retailers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman. The product was not shipped by the company to Canada or anywhere other than the U.S., Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman.

Consumers who purchased the recalled cheese should not eat it and should return it to the store where they bought it 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, 9 am to 6 pm Eastern.

KHC is trading at $80.50, up $1.03 or 1.30 percent on a volume of 236,512 shares.