The Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak linked to recalled Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal has ended, according to the CDC, after sickening 135 people in 36 states. Thirty-four people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. However, even though the actual outbreak is ended, public health officials are warning consumers that the danger still persists. This cereal has a very long shelf life, and some may still be in consumers' homes. In addition, two other products were recalled that were not linked to any illnesses; they were listed on FDA's Enforcement Reports. These recalls weren't announced to the general public. Cheerios Protein Oats & Honey, in 19 oz. boxes with UPC number 16000-44473, and in 14.1 ounce boxes, with UPC number 16000-45137, was recalled on July 16, 2018, … [Read more...]
FDA Warns About Honey Smacks Cereal; Salmonella Outbreak Grows to 130 Sick; Lawsuits Filed
The FDA and CDC are warning consumers not to eat any Honey Smacks cereal, as the Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak linked to that product grows to 130 sick in 36 states. That's an addition of 30 more ill persons since the last update more than a month ago. The outbreak and investigation are still ongoing. The patient case count by state is: Alabama (2), Arizona (3), California (11), Colorado (2), Connecticut (4), Delaware (1), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (4), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (3), Maine (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (9), Michigan (4), Minnesota (12), Mississippi (2), Montana (2), North Carolina (5), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (5), New York (15), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (11), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), … [Read more...]
Is 2018 the Summer of Salmonella Outbreaks and Lawsuits?
We are only a month into the summer of 2018, but so far this year there have been five multistate Salmonella outbreaks that have sickened at least 553 people. The outbreaks have been caused by Hy Vee Pasta Salad, Fareway Foods chicken salad, precut melons, Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal, and raw turkey. Of those sickened, more than 200 have been hospitalized because they are so ill. Two of those outbreaks have ended, but three are ongoing. While raw turkey has been associated with Salmonella outbreaks before, grocery store salads and dry cereal are relatively new vehicles for this pathogen. These outbreaks show that any food, at any time, can be contaminated with enough bacteria to make someone sick. The most striking detail about these outbreaks is that four of the five were linked … [Read more...]
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Salmonella Mbandaka Outbreak: How Does Cereal Get Contaminated? A Lawyer Answers
The Kellogg's Honey Smacks Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak is a rare and curious event. Some food poisoning outbreaks are met with disbelief. It doesn't seem possible that certain foods can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to recalled General Mills flour is one example. How could flour which is completely processed and dry, be contaminated? Same with cereal. This product is processed and subject to heat. How can it be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria? How did this Honey Smacks Salmonella outbreak occur? Salmonella is a persistent and resilient bacteria. It can actually become more persistent in a dry environment. The contamination in Kellogg's Honey Smack cereal could have occurred in the field, during processing of the grains, … [Read more...]
