Quaker Oats Pancake Recall In Illinois Updated To “Most Serious”

Maybe it's an age thing or something, but whenever I hear the name Quaker Oats, I just think of oatmeal. So, if you're like me (and I know I am), it may come as a surprise that Quaker Oats also makes pancake and waffle mixes. They're not sold under the name Quaker Oats, though.

Quaker Oats also makes breakfast cereals, granola, and even some baking mixes.

Take Aunt Jemima products for an example. Quaker Oats bought the brand way back in 1926, and it stayed under the Quaker Oats name until 2001, when the company was bought by Pepsico. In 2021, Pepsico dropped the Aunt Jemima name and changed it to Pearl Milling Company. Pepsico also owns the following (and plenty more):

• Pepsi
• Fritos
• Doritos
• Cheetos
• Lays
• Tostitos
• Ruffles
• Lipton
• Aquafina
• Gatorade
• Tropicana
• Cracker Jack
• Rold Gold
• Lifewater
• Rice-A-Roni

This particular recall involves Pearl Milling Company, and it's serious.

Back On January 14th, The Quaker Oats Company Announced The Limited Recall Of Certain Boxes Of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix

Then last Thursday, February 13th, the FDA updated the product recall to Class-1, which pertains, according to the FDA, to "situation[s] 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."

So, what's the reason for the initial recall followed by another announcement updating the recall to Class-1?

It's not for many of the usual reasons you see a food product recall. It's not listeria, E. coli, or salmonella. It's also not because of metal shavings or plastic pieces.

The Recall Of Certain Two-Pound Boxes Of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix Is Because Of The Danger Of The Product Containing "Undeclared Milk"

FDA.gov:

The Quaker Oats Company today issued a recall of a limited number of two pound boxes of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix that may contain undeclared milk, after being alerted by a retail partner. Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product.

The recalled pancake mixes were distributed to retailers in 11 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Utah and Wisconsin. Shoppers have been able to buy the product since November of last year.

No other Pearl Milling pancake and waffle mixes have been recalled, and the recall strictly pertains to products with a UPC code of 30000 65040 and a best-by date of September 12th of this year.