American food giant Kraft Heinz Company has voluntarily recalled select code dates and manufacturing codes of Kraft Singles individually-wrapped cheese slices after several customers complained about choking from the wrapper that remain stuck on the product.
In a statement on Friday, Kraft Heinz said it has received three reports of choking and 10 complaints about the packaging.
"[There is a] possibility that a thin strip of the individual packaging film may remain adhered to the slice after the wrapper has been removed. If the film sticks to the slice and is not removed, it could potentially cause a choking hazard," the company said.
The company apologized to customers and promised to reimburse them for purchasing the product.
"Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. They should return it to the store where purchased for an exchange or full refund," Kraft Heiz said.
The Illnois-based company said the recall covers the 3-lb. and 4-lb. sizes of Kraft Singles American and White American pasteurized prepared cheese product with a Best When Used By Date of 29 DEC 15 through 04 JAN 16, followed by the Manufacturing Code S54 or S55.
"The S54 and S55 codes refer to the two production lines on which the impacted product was made. The Best When Used By Date and Manufacturing Code are stamped on both the larger 3-lb. and 4-lb. boxes and the enclosed individual 1-lb. packages," it added.
Kraft Heinz said close to 36,000 of the products were shipped to retailers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman.
In March, Kraft also voluntarily recalled 242,000 cases of its Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Diner on concerns that some boxes may contain pieces of metal. The company said there were no injuries related to the product but it received eight complaints from customers.
