The Food and Drug Administration has classified a nationwide recall of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese sold at Aldi as a Class II recall after the product was found to contain undeclared soy lecithin.
BEF Foods Inc. initiated the voluntary recall on March 23. The FDA classified it on June 10, covering 58,405 cases of the refrigerated macaroni and cheese sold through Aldi stores across the United States.
FDA Lists Recall as Class II
The recall covers 525,645 individual 20-ounce packages of Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese. Each case contained nine tubs packed in plastic containers and placed inside paperboard sleeves.
The FDA listed the recall record under recall number H-0940-2026 and Event ID 98714. The agency’s Class II designation means use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects. The chance of serious health consequences is considered remote.
The recall was issued because soy lecithin may be present in the product without being declared on the label. That poses a possible risk to consumers with soy allergies or sensitivities.
Aldi shoppers who bought the product are being urged to check their refrigerators and review the recall details before eating or serving it.
The product was sold nationwide.
The affected product is Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese in a 20-ounce package. It was sold in plastic tubs covered by paperboard sleeves.
The product was distributed nationwide and sold at Aldi stores. Consumers who purchased the item should compare their package information with the official recall notice or contact the place of purchase for guidance.
The recall affects a large number of prepared macaroni and cheese packages, making it a significant consumer alert for Aldi shoppers who may still have the product at home.
Consumers with affected packages should not eat the product. They should return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
Soy Lecithin Was Not Declared
Soy lecithin is used in food manufacturing as an emulsifier. It helps ingredients blend and stabilize in prepared foods, sauces, dressings, and other packaged products.
The issue in this recall is labeling. Soy lecithin may be present in the recalled macaroni and cheese, but the soy-derived ingredient was not properly disclosed on the package.
The FDA sets food allergen rules requiring major food allergens to be identified on labels for most FDA-regulated packaged foods. Soybeans are among the major allergens covered by federal labeling requirements.
The agency also gives “lecithin (soy)” as an example of how an allergen source should appear on a label. That kind of disclosure allows people with food allergies to identify products they need to avoid.
Allergy Risk Varies by Person
Soy lecithin is often lower risk than some other soy-derived ingredients because it usually contains small amounts of soy protein. Many people with soy allergies may tolerate it.
Johns Hopkins Medicine describes the risk of reaction as low for soy lecithin and soy oils. The medical center also notes that a reaction can still occur.
That distinction matters for consumers. Food allergies vary widely, and some people avoid soy lecithin under medical guidance.
The FDA identifies major food allergens as foods and ingredients that contain proteins that cause the most severe allergic reactions. The list includes milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and sesame.
Symptoms of food allergy can include hives, rash, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, wheezing, dizziness, throat tightness, or breathing problems. Severe symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Consumers Told to Return Product
Consumers should not serve the recalled macaroni and cheese to anyone who needs to avoid soy or soy lecithin. That includes children, guests, and relatives who may not see the original packaging before eating.
The original report said customers should return affected products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The recall does not mean every person who eats the product will become sick. The warning is targeted at consumers with soy allergies or sensitivities who rely on accurate labels to avoid exposure.
Anyone who ate the product and developed symptoms should contact a health care provider. People with severe allergic symptoms should seek emergency care.
Labeling Error Drives Recall
Undeclared allergens remain a common reason for food recalls because labels carry critical safety information. A prepared meal can look and smell normal while still containing an ingredient that some consumers must avoid.
For shoppers, the most important step is checking whether the product in their refrigerator matches the recalled item. The affected macaroni and cheese was sold in refrigerated tubs, so some packages may remain in homes.
The FDA’s latest public classification lists the recall as Class II. Consumers with affected Park St. Deli Macaroni & Cheese packages should stop using the product and return it for a refund.
BEF Foods Inc. remains the recalling firm listed in federal records. The recall remains focused on undeclared soy lecithin in the Aldi-sold macaroni and cheese product.
