Monday, April 14, 2008
Malt-O-Meal Linked To Salmonella
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that up to 23 people in 14 different states suffering from salmonella may have been exposed through Malt-O-Meal cereal.
The company recalled the products earlier this month, and federal officials are encouraging consumers to throw away certain packages of Malt-O-Meal's Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat cereals.
Malt-O-Meal also produces cereal under supermarket and generic names, including Acme, America's Choice, Food Club, Giant, Hannaford, Jewel, Laura Lynn, Pathmark, Shaw's, ShopRite, Tops and Weis Quality.
Consumers can identify potentially affected food by codes used on the packaging. The cereals have "Best If Used By" dates from April 8, 2008 (coded as "APR0808") through March 18, 2009 (coded as "MAR1809").
Labels: food, Malt-O-Meal, recall, salmonella
Sunday, March 23, 2008
[food safety] Skip The Cantaloupe For Now
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning this weekend that cantaloupe from Honduras may be linked to salmonella.
The Honduran company, Agropecuaria Montelibano, is reportedly linked to dozens of illnesses throughout the US. The
FDA is specific on action: if you've recently bought cantaloupe, check with the retailer to see if they can identify the company supplying the fruit. If they can't, throw the fruit away.
Symptoms of foodborne Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. In persons with poor health or weakened immune systems, Salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Individuals who have recently eaten cantaloupe and experienced any of these symptoms should contact their health care professional.
Labels: FDA, food, safety, salmonella
Monday, July 16, 2007
FDA Confirms Salmonella Outbreak Link To Snack
Recall Started June 28The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today confirmed that a strain of Salmonella Wandsworth bacteria found in Veggie Booty snack food is responsible for the disease outbreak that occurred between March and June 2007.
Veggie Booty is marketed by Robert’s American Gourmet, of Sea Cliff, N.Y.
FDA continues to advise consumers not to eat any Veggie Booty and to throw away product they have. FDA also advises consumers not to eat Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks, and to throw out any supplies they have, because this product also may be contaminated.
No illnesses have been associated with any other Robert's American Gourmet products.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 60 children from 19 states who have become ill. Six children were hospitalized. There are no reported deaths. States reporting illnesses include: California (seven cases), Colorado (five), Connecticut (two), Georgia (one), Illinois (one), Indiana (one), Massachusetts (four), Minnesota (two), New Hampshire (two), New Jersey (two), New York (15), Oregon (one), Pennsylvania (four), Tennessee (one), Texas (two), Virginia (one), Vermont (three), Washington (four), and Wisconsin (two).
FDA, the States, and CDC are continuing the investigation. Preliminary testing suggests that the seasoning mix used in Veggie Booty may be the source of the contamination.
Veggie Booty is sold in a flexible plastic foil bag in four ounce, one ounce and one-half ounce packages. Some gift baskets available for purchase on the internet include Veggie Booty or Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks.
Robert’s American Gourmet ceased distributing Veggie Booty and began recalling the product on June 28. The company has also voluntarily recalled all lots and sizes of Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks snack food because the same potentially contaminated seasoning may have been used in making that product, too. In addition, the manufacturer of Veggie Booty and other products for Robert’s has ceased production until this investigation is complete.
Labels: FDA, food, recall, salmonella, Veggie Booty
