Kellogg Recalls 1.1 Million Honey Smacks Cereal Over Salmonella Outbreak in 31 US States + 7 Tips How to Protect Yourself

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Kellogg Company is voluntarily recalling 1.1 million Honey Smacks packets across more than 30 US states over concerns about potential salmonella contamination, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

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Source: Kellogg

In a nutshell

The Kellogg Company said Thursday it was voluntarily recalling 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce packages of the cereal with a “best if used by” date from June 14, 2018, through June 14, 2019, according to a statement.

The illnesses from the outbreak started from March 3 to May 28, the CDC said. The CDC said 24 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, the CDC said. Most of the outbreaks occurred in California, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, the CDC said.

Based on epidemiological evidence, Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal is likely the source of the outbreak, the CDC said. The agency said 30 of the 39 people interviewed about the foods they ate in the week before they grew ill reported eating cold cereal, and 14 people specifically reported eating Kellogg’s Honey Smacks.

Those who fell ill reported eating the Honey Smacks cereal more than another cereal, the CDC said.

The company told the BBC the product also had a limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. No other Kellogg products are affected by the recall.

Health Tips: How to protect yourself

Salmonella infections are particularly dangerous to the young and elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Healthy individuals can experience nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Symptoms of salmonella also include fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain that begins 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. Most people recover in four to seven days.

The U.S. Food Safety Administration suggests how to help prevent illness from salmonella contamination:

Don’t eat foods at higher risk for salmonella contamination, such as undercooked eggs, raw eggs, undercooked meat or poultry, or unpasteurized milk.
Properly refrigerate all food before cooking. Make sure food is cooked thoroughly and to the appropriate internal temperature.
Thoroughly clean kitchen surfaces.
Wash hands with soap and water before preparing food.
Keep ready-to-eat and cooked foods separate from each other.
Do not allow dishes or utensils that were used for raw food to touch cooked food.
Refrigerate foods promptly after cooking.

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