Kellogg recalls Honey Smacks cereal due to possible presence of Salmonella
On June 14, the Kellogg Company announced a voluntary recall of their 15.3 oz. and 23 oz. packages of Kellogg’s ® Honey Smacks ® cereal (with code dates listed below) because these products have the potential presence of Salmonella. No other Kellogg products are impacted by this recall. Information regarding that recall was shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA.) Kellogg launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces the popular children’s cereal immediately after being contacted by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding reported illnesses.
CBS News reported that to date “the tainted product has sickened 73 people in 31 states, including 24 hospitalizations. There have been no deaths reported so far.”
According to the CDC, use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE RECALLED PRODUCT
The affected product includes the following varieties distributed across the United States as well as limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan. The BEST if Used By Date can be found on the top of the cereal box, and the UPC code can be found on the bottom of the box.
Who is at Risk?
Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than five, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis.
What Do Consumers Need to Do?
Consumers should not eat any recalled Honey Smacks sweetened puffed wheat cereal. If already purchased, consumers should throw it away or return to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA continues to collect information to determine any additional sources. The FDA will update this posting as soon as more information becomes available.
Consumers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Those symptoms can last from four to seven days. Most Salmonella victims recover without any special treatment, although more serious and fatal infections in children, elderly and those with weakened immune systems are possible.
Contact Info
Kellogg is asking that people who purchased potentially affected product discard it and contact the company for a full refund. Consumers seeking more information, including images of these products, can visit kelloggs.com/honeysmacksrecall or call 1-800-962-1413 from Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET.
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~ Published by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
