Hy-Vee Recalls Mislabeled Macaroni Salad Product

A packaging mix-up is forcing Hy-Vee to recall one of its food products.

The Iowa-based grocery chain is recalling three-pound containers of Hy-Vee American Macaroni Salad because they were incorrectly labeled as potato salad and may contain undeclared milk and wheat (gluten), a company spokesperson said. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk and wheat (gluten) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled products.

The mislabeled containers of three-pound Hy-Vee American Macaroni Salad were distributed by D&D Foods of Omaha, Neb., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hy-Vee, Inc. The products were distributed to all of Hy-Vee’s 236 grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Hy-Vee spokesperson Tara Deering-Hansen said the affected product is typically sold in stores’ ready-to-eat refrigerated cases near the delicatessen. It is packaged in a frosted clear plastic tub with a black plastic lid.

The recalled product is labeled as “Hy-Vee American Macaroni Salad” on the lid, but “Hy-Vee Dijon Mustard Potato Salad” on the tub. The product is actually Hy-Vee American Macaroni Salad containing milk and wheat (gluten) ingredients, which are not declared on the tub.

The recalled product has a best if used date of “7/31/2015” and a production lot code of “15177D” located on the side of the frosted clear tub. Only one product size and lot are affected by this recall.

According to Hy-Vee officials, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the mix-up.

The recall was initiated after the incorrect packaging was discovered during routine product review.

Consumers who have purchased Hy-Vee American Macaroni Salad in the improperly-marked containers are urged to return them to any Hy-Vee store for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact Hy-Vee Customer Care representatives 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-772-4098.

Note: Hy-Vee originally reported the Customer Care number as being 1-800-722-4098, but later corrected the number.