The FDA Set This Recalled Pancake And Waffle Mix To Its Highest Risk Level. Here's What To Know.
A previously recalled pancake and waffle mix product from Quaker Oats’ popular Pearl Milling Company brand has now been classified at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s highest risk level due to potential allergen exposure.
In an enforcement report for the week of Feb. 19, the agency categorized the Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix as a Class I recall due to an undeclared milk allergen concern.
The FDA classifies recalled products as Class I when there’s “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,” its website states.
The agency routinely updates entries in its enforcement reports with a classification once it completes a hazard assessment. It categorizes recalled products as either Class I, Class II, Class III or “not yet classified.”
The Quaker Oats Company announced in a press release last month that it had recalled some of its 2-pound boxes of Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix because the product may contain undeclared milk.
The company said that the mix, packaged in a cardboard box, had been available to purchase since Nov. 18, 2024. It was distributed to retailers in the following 11 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Utah and Wisconsin.
The affected products had the Best Before Date (BBD) of Sep. 13, 2025, and the following UPC: 30000 65040.
Quaker Oats said there had been no reports of allergic reactions at the time of the recall, but thatpeople with an allergy or sensitivity to milk should discard the product immediately and not consume it. Customers who have purchased the product can call the company’s consumer relations line at 1-800-407-2247.
If you believe you’ve consumed this recalled product, it’s important to be aware of any signs of a milk allergy.
What You Should Know About Milk Allergies
Milk is one of the most common food allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
ACAAI states that some people who are allergic to milk experience an immediate reaction after consuming milk or milk protein, such as hives, vomiting, bloody stools, stomach upset or in rare cases, anaphylaxis — a severe life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and cause the body to go into shock.
Symptoms of a milk allergy that may take more time to develop include a runny nose, watery eyes, abdominal cramps and loose stools or diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Remember, if you have a food allergy, it’s important to carefully read labels and ask questions to avoid the food you’re allergic to. As the Mayo Clinic states, foods that are labeled “milk-free” or “non-dairy” may still contain milk proteins.
As always, consult your doctor if you believe you have an allergy or sensitivity to milk. Your health care provider may refer you to an allergist to help determine a diagnosis.
