If you're prepping for a cozy long weekend with breakfast at home, households with a certain dietary sensitivity will want to check their pancake fixings.
An Iconic Breakfast Brand Has Recalled a Product in 11 States
Published on Jan. 16, 2025
Nothing says “long holiday weekend” like stocking pancake mix in the pantry, but a breaking recall affecting one of the most popular brands urges consumers to whisk that bowl with caution.
On January 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the Quaker Oats Company has recalled Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix. The recall was initiated when the item was discovered to contain undeclared milk, putting those with dairy allergies or sensitivities at risk of “a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product.”
The problem was discovered by a retail partner, who alerted the recalling firm. As of Wednesday’s announcement, it’s reported no allergic reactions or adverse health effects have been reported in relation to the incident.
The affected pancake mix was available for consumer purchase starting November 18, 2024 at grocery retailers after having been distributed to what the FDA calls “certain retailers” in 11 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Utah and Wisconsin.
According to the FDA’s notice, the affected mixes bear the identifying details:
- sold in two-pound boxes
- UPC code 30000 65040
- “Best by” date of September 13, 2025
The quantity involved in the recall is unspecified. The brand says no other Pearl Milling Company products have been recalled.
Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix lists the following ingredients on the product packaging: enriched bleach flour, sugar, leavening, and calcium carbonate, which some sources suggest may be for the food’s texture. Milk, obviously, is not listed.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that a milk allergy occurs when the immune system responds with adverse effects to proteins found in milk. It is most common in children, many of whom will outgrow this sensitivity. Symptoms of a milk allergy can range from mild to severe, and commonly include symptoms such as hives or eczema, tingling or swelling of the lips or tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory symptoms in some of the most serious cases, such as anaphylaxis, a sudden drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, or even death.
Pearl Milling Company was formerly known as Aunt Jemima, which underwent a highly publicized image makeover in 2021 due to the original branding’s pejorative racial undertones. The company’s sales remained strong after the rebrand under the direction of PepsiCo, parent company of The Quaker Oats Brand.
The FDA’s announcement states: “If consumers have an allergy or sensitivity to milk, they should not consume the product and discard it immediately. Quaker has informed the FDA of this action.”
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