More Than 63,000 Pounds of Oatmeal Recalled In 2 States for “Potential Foreign Material”

Bakers and breakfast enthusiasts might know: Oats are one of the healthiest whole grains you can eat, thanks in part to a compound that can help lower bad cholesterol.

After oatmeal icon Quaker executed a mass recall early last year, another well-established producer’s oats are getting a closer look.

In an alert sent Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that 63,200 total pounds of two types of rolled oats—regular and quick—have been recalled by the Eden Prairie, MN-based company Grain Millers. “Potential Foreign material (plastic)” is said to have prompted the recall event, which appears to have been first initiated back in February.

Grain Millers Inc.’s site says they’re “the world’s largest organic oat processor,” producing about 25% of all oats in North America. Worth noting is that it appears these oats were harvested in Canada.

The FDA’s report doesn’t specify how the foreign matter was discovered. Customers in California and Indiana were said to be the recipients of the product. Given the sizable unit weights, it appears possible the oats were distributed to bakeries or other establishments that use the ingredient on a large scale.

The FDA says Grain Millers Rolled Oats were packaged in bulk poly “supersacks” with the following details:

• 1,800 LB Regular Rolled Oats #5
  • Weight: 1,800 pounds (lbs.)
  • Product ID: 810239153
  • Code Information: 250131N-1
  • Grain Millers, 1 Grain Millers Drive, Yorkton, SK S3N 3Z4. Product of Canada.
  • Total recalled: 20 totes
• 1,600 LB Quick Rolled Oats #21
  • Weight: 1,600 pounds (lbs.)
  • Product ID: 811176
  • Code Information: 250202N-2
  • Grain Millers, 1 Grain Millers Drive, Yorkton, SK S3N 3Z4. Product of Canada.
  • Total recalled: 17 totes

The company’s website says regular rolled oats are sometimes referred to as “old-fashioned oats,” and can be used for oatmeal or as an ingredient in cookies, breads, or granola. Quick rolled oats, on the other hand, can be known as “instant oats,” and are more likely to be used in ready-made oatmeal pouches or in breads, granola, or bars.

The recall, which is listed as ongoing, has not been assigned a classification at press time. The FDA typically assigns a recall as a Class I (the most severe), Class II, or Class III, depending on FDA experts’ determined health risks.

So while home bakers and breakfast-makers are likely not directly affected by this recall, it’s a helpful reminder to always keep an eye out—especially as reports this week suggest the FDA is considering rolling back food safety inspections.

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