The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a statement announcing that some Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal is still on the market for sale. All Honey Smacks cereal was recalled in June 2018. One month later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people not eat and retailers do not sell any Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal. It is illegal for retailers to continue offering a recalled product for sale.
According to the CDC’s case update posted on July 12, 100 people have been infected with Salmonella Mbandaka in 33 states. Thirty people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported in connection to this outbreak or recall.
On June 14, FDA issued an initial recall notice warning consumers that Kellogg Company was voluntarily recalling some boxes of the brand’s popular Honey Smacks cereal. Some of the cereal packages are believed to have been contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, ultimately causing a multistate outbreak. Kellogg’s initial recall only included specific boxes of its Honey Smacks cereal—the 15.3 oz. box, and the 23 oz. box—both with certain code dates displayed on them. Later, CDC issued a warning to consumers not to purchase or eat any Honey Smacks cereal manufactured by Kellogg’s, regardless of package size or expiration date.
According to FDA’s initial recall announcement, Kellogg launched an investigation with the third party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks immediately after being contacted by FDA and CDC regarding reported illnesses.
Based on epidemiologic evidence, health officials were able to determine that Salmonella Mbandaka is the bacterial strain in question. The traceback investigation does indicate that Kellogg’s Honey Smacks cereal is a likely source of the multistate outbreak.
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.
No other Kellogg’s products have been impacted by this recall. This investigation is ongoing. FDA and CDC will provide additional details as more information becomes available.
The FDA is urging consumers to report any recalled product they find still for sale by contacting their regional FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator.
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