The famous cereal company, Kellogg is recalling an estimated 1.3 million cases of Honey Smacks cereal from more than 30 U.S. states. The company cites the cereal is contaminated with salmonella and has injured over 70 people.
About Salmonella
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. The bacteria usually live in animal and human intestines and shed through feces. Consuming contaminated water or food spreads the infection to humans. Typically, people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Others that develop symptoms have them within 8 to 72 hours. However, most doctors misdiagnosis the infection as stomach flu.
Symptoms like nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting last two to seven days. Diarrhea may last up to 10 days, however, it may take several months before bowels return to normal. However, salmonella can develop into typhoid fever. This is a deadly disease. About 300 people get typhoid fever in the United States each year. About 22 million cases of typhoid fever and 200,000 related deaths occur worldwide each year.
Kellogg Cereal Recall
In interviews with the CDC, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the week before becoming sick. Thirty of the 39 people interviewed reported eating cold cereal. In interviews, 14 people specifically reported eating Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. Ill people in this outbreak reported this cereal more often than any other cereals or food items.
As part of the Kellogg cereal recall, both the CDC and Kellogg’s are advising consumers and retailers to throw out 15.3 oz. and 23.0 oz. boxes of the Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. Affected products have a ‘BEST if Used By’ date on the top of the box between June 14, 2018, and June 14, 2019.
Thus far, the FDA has received reports of 73 illnesses spanning 31 states. Twenty-four people are so sick that they needed hospitalization. Illnesses began in March. New York, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania are among the states to first report cases of the Salmonella Mbandaka strain. New York has the highest number of one state affected with 7.
Identifying the Contaminated Cereal
There are two sizes involved in the Kellogg cereal recall. Kellogg distributed the contaminated Honey Smacks across the United States as well as a 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.
| Description (Retail) | UPC Number | Size | Best If Used By Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey Smacks (with limited distribution outside the U.S.) |
3800039103 | 15.3 oz | JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019 |
| Honey Smacks | 3800014810 | 23 oz | JUN 14, 2018 through JUN 14, 2019 |
If Injured by the Outbreak
Food poisoning lawsuits play an important role in keeping food systems safe. These lawsuits hold negligent corporations accountable. Plus, it shows lawmakers that food safety is imperative. When outbreaks caused by bacteria or viruses injure people, most of the time it is from a manufacturer being negligent. The company is fully aware of their potentially dangerous practices and do not correct it. Thus, customers’ lives are endangered. Therefore, if you or a loved one become sick from consuming the salmonella-contaminated Kellogg cereal, contact us after seeking medical assistance. We have over 20 years assisting injured consumers. The consultation is completely free.